Apple AirPod Pro 2 Hearing Aid Feature Approved by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the hearing aid feature of Apple’s AirPod Pro 2 earbuds, marking a significant milestone in the tech giant’s efforts to expand its product’s functionality.

The FDA’s approval, announced on the 12th, paves the way for the AirPod Pro 2 to be used as a non-prescription hearing aid, designed for users with mild to severe hearing loss.

This approval is a first for the FDA, which has previously approved over-the-counter hearing aids for sale in 2022, but not software-based solutions.

The hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro 2 is designed to amplify sound to match the user’s hearing, and can be activated via an upcoming software update.

Apple plans to release the hearing aid feature of AirPod Pro 2 in over 100 countries and regions, including the US, Germany, and Japan, this fall, pending marketing approval from health authorities in each country.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, and Apple expects the AirPods Pro 2 to provide a valuable solution for these individuals.

Key Features of the AirPod Pro 2 Hearing Aid

• Designed for users with mild to severe hearing loss
• Amplifies sound to match the user’s hearing
• Activated via an upcoming software update
• Available in over 100 countries and regions

What This Means for Users

The approval of the AirPod Pro 2 hearing aid feature is a significant development for individuals with hearing loss, providing a convenient and accessible solution for improving their hearing.