AirPods Pro could gain hearing aid mode in iOS 18

AppleInsider

The AirPods Pro could benefit from a new hearing aid mode in iOS 18, a report forecasts, with upgrades to the low and mid-tier models also expected sometime in 2024.

AirPods Pro 2

Apple's Live Listen has helped the hard of hearing use AirPods to better hear their surroundings for a few years. Now, it seems that Apple will be going one major step further.

In Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes that there will be a new hearing aid mode included within iOS 18. Gurman doesn't go into detail about how the feature works, but it is likely to be an enhancement of existing accessibility features.

Listen Live uses the iPhone as a directional microphone, with the audio fed into the worn AirPods. Meanwhile Conversation Boost for AirPods Pro helps improve the audio quality for conversations happening right in front of the user.

The feature is likely to endear the AirPods Pro to the hard of hearing than they already do. In 2022, a study determined AirPods Pro were roughly on par with prescription hearing aids, though they were deemed not to be able to replace the medical-grade devices in all situations.

As well as a hearing aid mode, Gurman says there will be new low-end and mid-tier versions of AirPods, intended to replace the second and third-gen AirPods.

Gurman's newsletter follows previous rumors of the introduction of two gen 4 models of AirPods, as well as an update to the AirPods Max.

Rumor Score: Possible

Read on AppleInsider

beowulfschmidt

Now if they'd just implement a stay-my-ears-aid mode, I'd be ecstatic.

robin huber

This is great news, but I would dispute the notion that current built-in assistive technologies are at all useful for those with moderate hearing loss. I have tried them all and find them not helpful. Also, a unified hearing loss control center is needed that includes more thorough diagnostic and prescriptive features. Current controls are buried deeply in numerous locations making it a “treasure hunt” to set up. 

jackreidy

I’m hoping they take the next step soon and introduce Apple hearing aids. The introduction of OTC hearing aids was a critical government approval for an industry ripe for disruption. 

This is a market that Apple can easily generate billion dollar revenue on launch.

commentzilla

This is exactly the kind of feature that could save millions in medical cost. We need more of this.

badmonk

Agree as someone who has both tinnitus and high frequency hearing loss, I would much rather rely on Apple for a solution than suboptimal standard issue hearing aids.

entropys

An industry ripe for disruption.  That said, I doubt AirPods are suitable for all day usage, particularly hearing impaired, and people tend to want their hearing aids to be…invisible.

 Maybe this is just a step in that direction.

StrangeDays

badmonk said:

Agree as someone who has both tinnitus and high frequency hearing loss, I would much rather rely on Apple for a solution than suboptimal standard issue hearing aids.

I’ve apparently developed some tinnitus and high freq loss in one ear as well. I find wearing the APs a nice distraction that make me forget it 

robin huber

entropys said:

An industry ripe for disruption.  That said, I doubt AirPods are suitable for all day usage, particularly hearing impaired, and people tend to want their hearing aids to be…invisible.

 Maybe this is just a step in that direction.

Mine are invisible, and because of that are suboptimal. The trade-off is invisibility for features and function—there’s just so much you can pack into a canal only device. On the other hand, AirPods are more comfortable than a bug way up your ear canal, and wearing them is cool, doesn’t scream “old man” the way other big external devices do. Plus, the fidelity of pods is light years ahead of what I’ve got in there now. Bring it, Apple!

MacPro

badmonk said:

Agree as someone who has both tinnitus and high frequency hearing loss, I would much rather rely on Apple for a solution than suboptimal standard issue hearing aids.

Ditto