Some Apple AirPods wireless headphones can now be used as hearing aids with a new software update released on Monday. This move has been praised by experts, even though it may only benefit a small portion of the millions of Americans with hearing loss.
An estimated 30 million people, which is 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 12, have hearing loss in both ears. While many would benefit from hearing aids, most have never tried them, as reported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Additionally, there are others who have tried hearing aids but do not use them due to reasons such as cost, poor quality, poor fit, appearance, or other factors.
In recent years, there has been a push to make hearing aids more accessible. Two years ago, federal regulations were adjusted to allow hearing aids to be sold over-the-counter, in hopes of providing better and more affordable options to patients. Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved software from Apple that can transform AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids.
It is still uncertain if the regulatory changes have had a positive impact, experts say. However, the conversion of AirPods into hearing aids is seen as a creative and promising step. Here is what you need to know about hearing loss, hearing aids, and Apple’s new offering.