Apple announces an AirPods Pro 2 hearing health software update to add features like a “clinical grade” hearing aid mode and a clinically-validated hearing test

Apple has announced some new hearing health related features, coming as a software update for AirPods Pro 2.

9to5Mac 2024-09-10 Benjamin Mayo

Context & Ripple Effects

AirPods software had already moved beyond playback controls: Adaptive Audio introduced context-aware noise control for the same product line. This update applies that software-led product model to hearing health on existing AirPods Pro 2 hardware.

The announcement also set up a regulatory milestone: the hearing-aid feature was subsequently approved by the FDA as an over-the-counter hearing-aid software device. That connection makes the update more consequential than a routine audio-feature release.

First-order effects

AirPods Pro 2 owners gain a hearing test, hearing-protection controls, and a hearing-aid mode through software rather than a separate hardware purchase.
Apple expands AirPods Pro 2's role from audio accessory to a device with regulated hearing-health functionality, subject to the feature's approved availability and requirements.

Second-order effects

Dedicated hearing-device makers face a more direct consumer alternative from a product people may already own, while Apple can differentiate AirPods through software updates after sale.
The FDA approval creates a clearer route for other consumer-electronics vendors to pursue hearing-aid software features, increasing the importance of validation and regulatory clearance alongside audio engineering.

Third-order effects

If similar approvals and updates proliferate, hearing support may increasingly be delivered through general-purpose wearables, shifting competition toward software, user testing, and regulatory capability rather than standalone devices alone.
The boundary between consumer audio and health technology will become more regulated: feature claims, eligibility, and deployment may be constrained by clinical evidence and approvals rather than product marketing alone.

The trend: Consumer wearables are becoming software-defined health platforms, with regulated functions arriving through updates to widely used devices.

Discussion

@thatadamguy Adam Lasnik on threads
I'm mostly *grateful* that Apple's doing this, but with two caveats: - Airpods last, what, 3-5 hours on a charge? That's not nearly enough juice to get most hearing-impaired folks through the day. - I worry that people may try Airpods, be underwhelmed with how it helps them hea…
@adrs Arielle Duhaime-Ross on threads
Glad Apple continues to think about accessibility — but if there's one thing I've learned reporting on the FDA and medical devices, it's never buy a product based on the promise of future FDA clearances.
@adrs Arielle Duhaime-Ross on threads
It's very similar to the same old advice for any tech device: never buy a product based on what it could be. Just buy it based on what it is. No guarantees in tech that a software update will bring the capabilities you're hoping for in the future.
@katienotopoulos Katie Notopoulos on threads
Had to blog about my assigning editor @crumbler's point that the “conversation awareness” feature in AirPods 4 is rude (speaking to a barista with headphones in!) BUT... then I considered that if AirPods are going to be used as hearing aids, this math might change. …
@vthallam Venkatesh Thallam on threads
I love Apple for how they are indexing on the health features in new devices. > Sleep Apnea detection on Apple Watch > Hearing Exam and Assistance in Airpods 2 More power to them!!
@mkbhd Marques Brownlee on x
AirPods Pro 2 adding a clinical grade hearing aid functionality: Awesome
@levie Aaron Levie on x
Apple just announced AirPod features to turn them into hearing aids. Having experienced a harder time talking to my grandparents in their later years due solely to hearing loss, this is such a brilliant idea it's crazy.
@econliberties @econliberties on x
“A textbook example of how competition policy can create entirely new markets and spur innovation.” Statement from @matthewstoller on Apple's unveiling of the Airpods Pro 2, which feature hearing aid capabilities. https://www.economicliberties.us/ ... [image]
@levie Aaron Levie on x
The alternative is far worse, though: the average company that does understand these markets aren't innovative enough to build these features. Also, separately, I also think it's currently a pretty compelling flywheel of AI, audio, visual technology improvements that eventually …
@paulg Paul Graham on x
@levie I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but you can tell how old the people running Apple are from the fact that they're making heart monitors and hearing aids.
@gregjoz Greg Joswiak on x
As always, we built these features with privacy at the core. And we are so proud to continue to deliver features like these to our users, because we believe deeply in technology's power to help you live a healthier life. https://www.apple.com/...
@gregjoz Greg Joswiak on x
Sleep and hearing health are both so important, which is why we're excited to introduce powerful ways to support our customers with new features for Apple Watch and AirPods. Here's how 👇
@dylanmcd8 Dylan on x
Nice to see that the current AirPods Pro have been retroactively rebranded from “(2nd generation)” to “2”, which is much better [image]
@tgod34748 @tgod34748 on x
Very weird to see Apple no longer using the “2nd generation” naming for AirPods anymore. AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are officially now AirPods Pro 2. [image]
@balancecrafting @balancecrafting on x
This Apple hearing aid feature exists because the government broke a hearing aid cartel with an FDA rule https://www.whitehouse.gov/... [image]
@ashleycapoot Ashley Capoot on x
IMO, the standouts from @Apple's event were the new health features. AirPods Pro will have a clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aid feature. Apple Watch Series 10 can alert users to sleep apnea. Big deal! More TK in Healthy Returns this week. https://www.cnbc.com/...
@ismailjh Ismail Jai Hokimi on x
@JoannaStern This feature helps break the stigma around hearing devices. Simple and powerful.
@twostraws Paul Hudson on x
Hearing aid built into AirPods Pro? Well done to that entire team 👏 #AppleEvent
@ichris Chris on x
I love that Apple can take something that's viewed as cool to wear (AirPods Pro) and allow people with hearing loss to have an improved quality of life. [image]
@trungtphan Trung Phan on x
Apple AirPod Pro 2 will have “clinical” level hearing aid features based on each user's “hearing profile”. Super useful and will prob get for my parents. [image]
@petersterne Peter Sterne on x
It's genuinely impressive that Apple is turning its AirPods Pro 2 earbuds into professional-grade hearing aids with just a software update.
@autismcapital @autismcapital on x
When you realize the “Hearing Aid” feature for the Airpods is actually an eavesdropping feature [image]
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
AirPods Pro get a hearing aid. Disruption.
@dbreunig Drew Breunig on x
Those sounds you just heard are the CPAP industry exploding (in a good way) and the RX hearing aid industry exploding (in a bad way).
@mikeelgan Mike Elgan on x
Apple just kneecapped the hearing aid industry.
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
Wow, AirPods Pro 2 have a built-in clinical grade hearing test and transform into hearing aids. Apple awaiting FDA clearance soon. [image]
r/Professors r on reddit
The argument for no headphones in class has been won by the students.
@snazzyq Quinn Nelson on threads
Adding USB-C to AirPods Max and doing literally nothing else is a war crime. H2 is in the $130 AirPods 4 but not in the newly refreshed $550 flagship headphones. So many things make AirPods Max unsuitable for purchase in 2024 and they fixed literally ONE of them. Abomination.
@chrisjbakke Chris Bakke on x
The CEO of Sony learning that Airpods have once again outsold the new and improved Sony WH-1000XM5-WHCH720N-WF1000XM5- CH520's for the 15th consecutive quarter [image]
@gregjoz Greg Joswiak on x
With Active Noise Cancellation and a new design, AirPods 4 are the most advanced and comfortable headphones we've created with an open-ear design. Add five new colors for AirPods Max and a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro, and it's an exciting day for your ears!…
@snazzylabs Quinn Nelson on x
If you told me Apple was going to update the AirPods Max with USB-C and then do literally nothing else, I wouldn't have believed you for a second.
@om @om on x
The Indian head shake is going to confuse the heck out of Siri on AirPods. Imagine accidentally saying yes to mom call during middle of the day!!!
@himanshurajawt Himanshu Rajawat on x
@MKBHD Loving the improved noise cancellation and that new sleek design 🔥
@mgsiegler M.G. Siegler on x
I'm as big of an AirPods fan as you'll find — and have been since day one. This is... a lot of AirPods options? #AppleEvent
@raywongy Ray Wong on x
“AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation” is the actual name [image]
@zollotech Aaron Zollo on x
AirPods 4 - H2 chip - Better audio quality - Personalized Spatial Audio - Nod yes or no to answer or decline - Voice isolation - USB-C - Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency - Adaptive Audio -Wireless Charging - Speaker for Find My [image]
@munster_gene Gene Munster on x
New AirPods 4 with head gestures to answer and decline calls and better noise cancelation and adding transparency mode. Same $179 price as was the previous AirPods 3. Bottom line. AirPods is still a replacement cycle business.
@benbajarin Ben Bajarin on x
Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4 are much more likely to drive a giant upgrade cycle. All data points I've seen confirm a big portion of those installed bases on quite old hardware.

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