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Apple, which is seeking to increasingly integrate its customers’ health into its devices, took a new step on Thursday with the authorization in the United States of a feature that allows some of its wireless headphones, the AirPods, to be transformed into hearing aids.
The device is being developed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a statement announcing its approval.
Hearing aids without going through a hearing aid professional?
Users will be able to test their hearing themselves in just minutes by downloading the latest software update for free to their Apple phone or tablet (iPhone or iPad).
The headphones will then be able to “amplify sounds“depending on the result and the user can refine”volume and tone settings“, the FDA wrote.
“Hearing loss is a significant public health problem affecting millions of Americans.“, stressed Michelle Tarver, head of the health agency. The authorization of this device without a prescription”on a widely used audio product is a new step that advances the availability, accessibility and acceptability of hearing aids” she added.
The product was tested in a clinical trial involving 118 people.
France vs. the United States, a different situation of access to care
The results showed that those implementing the settings themselves “achieved a similar perceived benefit to people who had professional adjustments on the same device“, the FDA wrote.
The compatible headphones will be the AirPods Pro 2, which will cost $249 excluding tax (€279 in France), Apple announced on Monday.
The Apple company explained that the device works in “increasing frequencies so that sounds are clearer“. Apple expects this feature to be available – subject to local health authority approval – as soon as “this fall in more than 100 countries and regions“, including Germany and Japan in addition to the United States.
In France since 2021, a hearing aid offer with no remaining cost must be offered to patients who can benefit from it. The accessibility of these products is therefore very different compared to the United States. In fact, such a development in France seems less obvious, even if in fact, these Airpods are less expensive than hearing aids and could appeal to a younger clientele…
Also helps with simple hearing loss
In the latter country, Apple benefits from an FDA decision dating from 2022. The agency had then authorized the purchase of certain hearing aids directly in stores, without a medical prescription or adjustment with a hearing aid professional, in order to bring about a reduction in prices and improve their accessibility.
The cost of hearing aids in the United States can run into several thousand dollars.We are very pleased with Apple’s announcement“, responded Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).The fact that a product that millions of people already own can provide hearing assistance and protection is a huge step forward.“.
The self-test consists of a series of sounds that the user listens to and responds to by tapping on the screen, Apple explains on its website. The feature can also be used by people who do not necessarily have an identified hearing loss, but who want to, for example, increase certain sounds to better hear conversations.
Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging and exposure to loud sounds. It can affect the well-being of those affected and their relationships with others. Wearing hearing aids has been shown to slow cognitive decline and depression in older adults, according to the FDA.
Apple continues to innovate in healthcare
More generally, “Apple continues to push into healthcare“, noted for AFP Carolina Milanesi, independent analyst, emphasizing the benefit of this strategy in terms of revenue for the company.
On Monday, Apple also unveiled a new feature for its smartwatch, which should be able to detect whether its wearer suffers from sleep apnea.We hope to get the green light from the FDA and other regulators very soon.” said Sumbul Desai, the group’s vice president of healthcare.
However, if you suffer from hearing loss, it is advisable to consult your doctor who will be able to refer you to a professional who can assess your hearing and offer you suitable solutions.