Apple Turns AirPods Pro 2 Into Affordable Hearing Aids With Update Available Today

Oct 28, 2024, 10:16 PM

Apple has released a software update for its AirPods Pro 2 that allows the wireless earbuds to function as affordable hearing aids. Starting Monday, users with iOS 18.1 and new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 can take a five-minute hearing test on their iPhones. This end-to-end hearing health experience enables customers to improve, protect, and better understand their hearing, aiming to help people face a problem they'd rather ignore. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the software from Apple last month, paving the way for this functionality. Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook, expressed excitement about the potential impact of these features on users' lives. "Hearing is a vital part of our health," Cook said. "Apple's new end-to-end hearing health experience with AirPods Pro 2 allows customers to improve, protect, and better understand their hearing. We're excited for these new features to have an impact on people's lives. They're available today!" The update includes tools for protecting, testing, and enhancing hearing, making hearing health more accessible.