Revolutionizing Sound: Apple AirPod Pro 2 Earns FDA Approval as a Game-Changing ‘Hearing Aid
FDA Approves AirPod Pro 2 Hearing Aid Software
Apple’s wireless earbuds, AirPod Pro 2, can now be used as hearing aids, offering a more affordable alternative to traditional hearing aids.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the hearing aid software for AirPod Pro 2, marking the first time software has been approved for use as a medical device.
A study involving 118 participants with mild to moderate hearing loss validated the effectiveness of Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid software. The results showed that patients who used the software experienced similar effects to those who used existing hearing aids.
To use the AirPod Pro 2 hearing aid feature, users need to take a hearing test with an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18. The test results are privately saved in the “Health” app, and AirPods make customized adjustments to amplify sound in real time.
The hearing aid feature of AirPod Pro 2 can help millions of people who are unaware of their hearing loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing loss.
Michelle Tarver, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, stated that the software’s approval “will improve the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of hearing aids.”
The hearing aid feature of AirPod Pro 2 is expected to be available in over 100 countries and regions after the official release of iOS 18.