Future AirPods may feature hearing health features, according to reports. Since 2018, Apple has offered accessibility features, such as Live Listen for AirPods, and Conversation Boost for AirPods Pro. According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman’s latest newsletter, the AirPods Pro may soon gain an accessibility feature related to hearing health.
During this year’s WWDC keynote in June, iOS 18 is expected to be unveiled as the biggest update in years. At the same event, Gurman reports that Apple may announce a new accessibility feature for the AirPods Pro. It is said to be a new mode for hearing aids.
AirPods Pro won’t receive any hardware updates this year, Gurman says. Apple will focus instead on the software side of the TWS earphones. At the moment, it is unclear how the hearing aid feature will work.
With Live Listen, the iPhone becomes a directional microphone that captures audio and transmits it to AirPods in real-time. In the meantime, the Conversational Boost enhances the audio for better hearing by using the microphone.
Earlier, Gurman reported that future AirPods could come with a hearing test feature to detect any hearing issues. Various sounds and tones will be played to determine the user’s hearing ability. FDA created a new category of hearing aids in 2022 that could be purchased over the counter without a prescription.
According to Apple, the hearing health features on the AirPods will revolutionize the TWS market. Future AirPods could also replace hearing aids as a viable alternative.
