The new hearing features heading to Apple's AirPods Pro are a stunning example of using wearables to improve lives
Forget AI Genmojis, Apple’s update to AirPods Pro – one that could help 1.2bn people with mild to moderate hearing loss worldwide – was my pick of its announcements at its Glow Time event.
The new features have been borne out of the Apple Hearing Study, and include a new hearing test, safety features, as well as hearing aid capabilities.
Hearing loss can be a hugely limiting, and take the joy out of social situations, where people find it impossible to communicate in noisy places, such as restaurants or bars. And the isolation of hearing loss can lead to mental health issues.
Read this: Apple Watch Series 10 hands on review
The new features come under three areas: Prevention, Awareness and Assistance.
At Apple Park we got a close look at the new features, and found out how they work.
Prevention: AirPods Pro will now act as ear defenders. The tips already act as a passive barrier, but a new machine learning algorithm will actively reduce noise, processing at 48,000 times per second to lower the decibels reaching the ears. Apple also says that its “all-new multi-band high dynamic range algorithm” ensures that sounds at live events, like concerts, remain natural and vibrant.
Awareness: This is where things get really interesting. Apple says that 80% of U.S. adults have not had their hearing tested in the past five years.
Apple is adding a clinically validated pure-tone audiometry hearing test, performed via AirPods Pro and iPhone, built on research from its hearing study.
The five-minute test requires users to tap when they hear noises played via the AirPods Pro. The report will advise on any identifiable hearing loss and suggest next steps. For many people, this feature could be the first step toward acknowledging hearing loss.
Assistance: Finally, Apple is also launching a clinical-grade hearing aid feature for mild to moderate loss.
Based on the results of the hearing test, the AirPods Pro offers personalized dynamic adjustments, allowing users to have the sounds around them boosted in real time.
Wareable Says
Apple has been gearing toward this type of feature for years—and like the new sleep apnea feature, it has emerged from one of its long-term studies.
And just like sleep apnea, it targets the needs of a huge segment of the population, whose needs are largely overlooked.
