As you likely remember, back in 2022, the FDA approved the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, which, for the first time, allowed consumers to purchase hearing aids without going to an audiologist, getting a prescription and often paying thousands of dollars. It was anticipated that this new option would stir hundreds of thousands of older adults to seek out hearing aids and avoid some of the risks of hearing loss, which include depression, social isolation, and dementia. Unfortunately, as STAT recently described, OTC hearing aids have remained a “niche” market, and the hope that throngs of seniors would take advantage of this option has fizzled. Last year, the National Council on Aging reported that only 1 in 6 Americans who have hearing loss wear hearing aids. It’s thought that even with lower prices, the OTC hearing aids are still expensive, difficult to manage, and continue to have a stigma attached to them.

That may be about to change, however, with the announcement by Apple that they will be introducing software that will allow you to use your AirPod Pro 2 devices as hearing aids within the coming months. The FDA has approved this software and soon you will be able to use your AirPod Pro 2s to listen to music, stream a movie, test your hearing, function as a hearing aid, and block out ambient noise, among other functions. The hearing aid feature will be pushed to the devices through a software update. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the small white devices inserted into the ears of so many people, which allow them to talk on the phone without holding the phone to their ear, or to listen to music, watch movies, or play games on their Apple devices wirelessly and seamlessly. Now, Apple has announced that these same AirPod Pro 2 devices will also allow you to test your hearing and use the data from that test to precisely program your AirPods to calibrate the sound in your devices, so you will be able to hear as though you were wearing a more traditional hearing aid. Apple has described the technology as creating an “end-to-end hearing experience” with hearing protection, a scientifically validated hearing test, and a clinical-grade hearing aid feature all available in this one device, which many of you may already own. These AirPod Pro 2s typically retail for about $249, but they are frequently on sale for under $200 and will give you a range of functions beyond a more traditional hearing aid. The hearing aid function on these devices is intended for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, which is the same market for more traditional over-the-counter hearing aids.

This new hearing aid option has been described as a “game changer” by experts, with clear and vibrant sound coming through the devices and machine learning (a type of Artificial Intelligence) adjustments to accommodate your hearing and environment. You’ll be able to take the hearing test using your iPhone, and the AirPods Pro 2s will use the results of your hearing test to modulate what you hear, however you use the devices. You will be able to see your hearing test results on your Apple Health app which you can share with your healthcare provider and retake the hearing test whenever you want to. It is hoped that a device that is so universally used at this point will lessen the stigma for older adults needing hearing assistance, and may encourage consumers to try the hearing aid feature without having to purchase expensive hearing aids not knowing whether they will like the quality of the assistance. In essence, these devices are “cool,” which means many may be willing to now step up and give a hearing aid a try. After all, no one will know whether you’re using the AirPod Pro 2s as a hearing aid, or whether you are listening to an audiobook or a favorite piece of music. The devices are not perfect (with a battery life of only 6 hours, much less than a typical hearing aid) and Apple does not plan on providing a support system if you have trouble adjusting. But given the slow uptake of over-the-counter hearing aids to date, and the millions of people with hearing loss who have not sought help, this may just be the device to make it hip to get hearing assistance. So grab your iPhone and read more here.