by Dan Moren
FDA approves AirPods hearing aid functionality
When Apple says it expects regulators to approve something soon, it means soon.
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 serve as an OTC hearing aid, intended to amplify sounds for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment.
No surprise: a multibillion dollar company is not going to announce a feature like this unless it’s really confident that it’s essentially all signed off on.
Of the health-related announcements at this week’s Apple event, this was the one that I find the most intriguing. Both my parents have some form of hearing loss and while these features probably aren’t enough for them, I have to imagine it might be in my future as well. I’m also interested in seeing how the broadening of hearing aid technology to over-the-counter options in the U.S. will put pressure on makers of traditional hearing aids, devices that are generally much more expensive than, say, a pair of AirPods, even if they are more capable.