Earlier this week, Apple made a significant announcement regarding a powerful new health feature coming to AirPods Pro 2 – hearing aid. Intriguingly, the company disclosed that it hadn’t yet received FDA authorization for this ‘clinical grade’ hearing aid mode. However, it was assumed that authorization would be granted, and the feature was slated to arrive later this year. But as of today, the FDA has officially announced that it has authorized Apple’s new feature.
From the FDA’s statement: “Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device, Hearing Aid Feature, intended to be used with compatible versions of the Apple AirPods Pro headphones. Once installed and customized to the user’s hearing needs, the Hearing Aid Feature enables compatible versions of the AirPods Pro to act as an OTC hearing aid, designed to amplify sounds for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment.”
The organization also detailed the testing process that led to the authorization of this new feature. It was tested in a clinical study involving 118 subjects, all of whom had mild to moderate hearing loss. The study demonstrated that Apple’s AirPods Pro feature provided genuine benefit without any adverse effects observed.
Granting Apple the first-ever authorization for over-the-counter hearing aid software is a big deal. When this feature debuts later this year, AirPods Pro are set to offer even more utility than ever before.
If you’re interested in the hearing aid functionality or any of the other soon-to-be-released AirPods features, note that AirPods Pro 2 are currently available at a highly discounted price of $199.
Are you keen on using the hearing aid feature? Let us know in the comments.
