Hearing aids are pretty expensive, with good ones costing as much as a decent flagship nowadays. Apple has an answer to that–their AirPods Pro 2. Yes, Apple’s top-of-the-line TWS buds can double as clinical-grade hearing aids thanks to a new update that will be pushed via a software update later this year.
The new software update will allow users to take a clinically validated hearing test, conducted with their iPhone and their AirPods. The test will run five times, and when it’s done, you’ll be able to get the results through your iPhone in the privacy of your home, without having to get your insurance company involved (which shouldn’t affect your premiums).
If you do suffer from hearing loss, the update will allow you to turn on hearing aid mode which in turn amplifies sound around you. You’ll be able to listen to music and videos as normal with the AirPods as the software will apply a custom audio profile so the sound it produces won’t add additional damage to your hearing.
The new feature is currently making its way through regulatory agencies in the US via the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and once it’s through and approved, Apple says that the software update and the new feature will show up in more than 100 countries.
This new feature will definitely up the quality of life of a lot of people, as buying AirPods Pro 2 (Php 14,690 retail) sounds way more affordable rather than buying a Php 40,000 (at least) hearing aid.
