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Apple AirPods Pro 2 Approved For Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Use
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 has been approved by the FDA to enable hearing aid features for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. It will be released worldwide this FALL and is the first over-the-counter hearing aid software authorized by the agency.
AUDITORY INSIGHT Founder/Pres. NANCY M. WILLIAMS, in her interview with THE VERGE said, “The longer you live with hearing loss, the more you realize that you want to protect the hearing that you’ve got.”
MOOR INSIGHTS & STRATEGY Health Analyst ANSHEL SAG commented on THREADS, “The price difference alone will completely shake up the market.”
The new feature allows users to take a five-minute hearing test and create a personalized hearing profile. Results will be monitored in APPLE’s HEALTH app. A separate “Hearing Protection” feature will help prevent overexposure to high sound levels while maintaining sound quality.
It will be exclusive to AIRPODS PRO 2 users 18 or older. With approximately six hours of battery life per charge, the earbuds may not support all-day use. An iPHONE or iPAD running on iOS 18 (from devices released since 2020) is required.
Priced at $249, they will offer an affordable alternative to traditional hearing aids, which range from $99 to $7,000. While this presents a cost-effective option, some users may find the combined cost of the required APPLE devices higher than other hearing aid solutions.
With a six-hour battery life, the AIRPODS PRO 2 may be less suitable for users needing all-day enhancement compared to competitors like SONY’s CRE-E10, which lasts up to 26 hours. Despite this, the AIRPODS PRO 2 aims to provide a discreet and user-friendly hearing aid solution.
Hearing Aid feature for APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2, watch here.