In the latest edition of his newsletter, Mark Gurman shared some exciting news about Apple’s AirPods Pro. The FDA has created a new category of hearing aids that can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription, medical exam, or fitting. This opens up the possibility for Apple to enter this market with AirPods Pro.
According to Gurman, there won’t be any hardware changes to the AirPods Pro in 2024. Instead, the big news will be a major new hearing aid mode that will come alongside iOS 18.
In a study conducted at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, it was found that using AirPods Pro with an iPhone’s Live Listen feature can help amplify sound and improve the quality of life for those with hearing loss. This could be a great starting point for individuals who don’t have access to professional hearing aids.
Apple received a patent in 2016 for biometric sensors that collect personal health data via earbuds. This suggests that AirPods Pro could potentially become very helpful medical devices with the release of iOS 18.
Some people experiencing hearing loss may prefer wearing AirPods over traditional hearing aids due to social stigma. A survey showed that 75% of Americans avoid wearing hearing aids because they make them feel old. In contrast, wearing AirPods can make someone appear more modern and “with it.”
