# Apple’s AirPods Pro 2: Now Approved by the FDA as OTC Hearing Aids
In an innovative development, Apple has elevated its renowned AirPods Pro 2 to serve as more than just premium wireless earbuds. At the iPhone 16 keynote, Apple revealed plans to incorporate hearing aid functionalities for AirPods Pro 2 users. With the recent clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Apple can now officially promote its AirPods Pro 2 as over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, heralding a transformative change in hearing health.
## FDA Approval: A Breakthrough for Hearing Health
The FDA’s endorsement signifies the first instance where a software-based hearing aid feature has received authorization for use with commercial-grade wireless earbuds. As per the FDA’s announcement, the newly introduced “Hearing Aid Feature” is aimed at individuals aged 18 and above who face mild to moderate hearing challenges. Once activated and tailored, this feature enables the AirPods Pro 2 to operate as a hearing aid, enhancing sound perception and improving the user’s interaction with their environment.
The FDA’s communication states:
> “Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device, Hearing Aid Feature, intended for use with compatible versions of the Apple AirPods Pro headphones. Once installed and tailored to the user’s hearing needs, the Hearing Aid Feature enables compatible versions of the AirPods Pro to function as an OTC hearing aid designed to amplify sounds for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment.”
This approval represents a crucial advancement in making hearing aids more accessible and cost-effective, particularly for those who may have overlooked or lacked access to conventional hearing aids.
## Apple’s Vision: A Comprehensive Hearing Health Solution
Apple has always been at the forefront of health technology, and this latest initiative is no different. Earlier this week, the company declared its intention to provide the first “all-in-one hearing health experience,” concentrating on **prevention**, **awareness**, and **support**. This comprehensive approach aims to assist users not just in addressing hearing loss but also in preventing it and remaining aware of their hearing health.
### 1. **Prevention: Safeguarding Your Ears**
The AirPods Pro 2 already incorporate passive noise reduction through their ear tips, but Apple has enhanced this with active noise reduction driven by the H2 chip. This chip can diminish loud, sporadic noises at an exceptional rate of 48,000 times per second. The **Hearing Protection** feature is activated by default across all listening modes and aims to shield users in various loud environments, such as concerts or construction sites.
Moreover, Apple has unveiled a new multiband high dynamic range algorithm that further improves the user’s capacity to safeguard their hearing in noisy contexts. This feature is vital for averting long-term hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to loud sounds.
### 2. **Awareness: Grasping Your Hearing Health**
Apple has also incorporated a **Hearing Test** function enabling users to evaluate their hearing in just five minutes. The test is based on pure-tone audiometry, a standard method employed by audiologists. This feature utilizes cutting-edge acoustic science to deliver a clinical-grade hearing test experience directly from the iPhone.
Upon completion of the test, users receive a comprehensive overview of their hearing health, including a categorization of their hearing loss and subsequent recommendations. The results are straightforward and provide a clear indication of hearing loss for each ear, empowering users to take charge of their hearing health—whether they need to seek additional medical guidance or merely adjust their AirPods Pro settings.
### 3. **Support: Converting AirPods Pro 2 into Hearing Aids**
The most thrilling aspect is the **Support** element, wherein the AirPods Pro 2 can be converted into clinical-grade hearing aids. Utilizing the personalized hearing profile generated from the Hearing Test, the AirPods Pro 2 can automatically modify sound amplification in real-time. This enables users to enhance interactions during conversations and remain attuned to their surroundings.
For instance, in a bustling restaurant, the AirPods Pro 2 can boost voices while diminishing background noise, facilitating user focus on dialogues. This seamless, tailored experience represents a notable enhancement compared to traditional hearing aids, which often necessitate manual adjustments or trips to an audiologist.
## Firmware Update: Availability of Hearing Aid Features
Apple has recently issued a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, introducing several new features linked to iOS 18. However, it is still uncertain whether the hearing aid functionality is included in this update or if it will be activated through a future server-side modification. Apple has not released a specific timeline regarding when users can anticipate these new hearing aid features.
