Apple’s AirPods Pro Set to Double as Affordable, Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
TL/DR –
Apple’s AirPods Pro is set to serve as clinical-grade hearing aids that can be bought over the counter for $249 in the US and £229 in the UK, providing a more affordable solution compared to traditional hearing aids which can cost up to £2,995. The device works through an on-demand hearing test on the iPhone’s health app that generates an audiogram, which can be used to program the AirPods Pro as hearing aids. The availability of this technology was not due to an engineering breakthrough, but due to changes in laws and regulations, as the US FDA had insisted for years that any device that goes into a human ear needs a prescription, with lobbying for changes starting as early as 1993.
Apple AirPods Pro Transform into Affordable Hearing Aids
Years ago, I invested in Apple AirPods Pro, compact gadgets with modest noise-cancelling ability. Lighter and less conspicuous than typical noise-cancelling headphones, they also come equipped with a handy button enabling you to turn off noise cancellation and tune into your surroundings. Over time, it occurred to me that these could potentially function as hearing aids with the right software. That thought was promptly discarded since hearing aids are usually costly, specialized devices prescribed by audiologists.
However, on September 12, I stumbled upon a headline on the Verge website: “Apple gets FDA authorization to turn the AirPods Pro into hearing aids.” The upcoming generation of these earphones will serve as clinical-grade hearing aids this autumn. Moreover, they’re available over-the-counter (OTC) for $249 in the US and £229 in the UK, a stark contrast to the £495 to £2,995 range for existing hearing aids.
Traditional hearing aid vendors emphasize the dedicated audiologist attention received by customers. While this is crucial for those with severe hearing loss, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) asserts that Apple’s customization software will suffice for those with “mild to moderate hearing impairment”.
The hearing test in the iPhone’s health app plays different frequencies at various volumes, creating an audiogram that can be used to program the AirPods Pro as hearing aids. Alternatively, an existing audiogram created by an audiologist can be uploaded.
However, the transition from noise-cancelling earphones to hearing aids required overcoming regulatory challenges. The FDA, which dictated that devices going into a human ear needed a prescription, loosened its restrictions after years of lobbying by campaigners and an executive order by the Biden administration.
The deployment of technology is inherently impacted by social and political factors. The same tech that could have offered affordable hearing aids to millions in the US years ago was held back by the interests of the healthcare-regulatory establishment.
What I’ve been reading:
Bad press
Jeff Jarvis, a seasoned journalist and professor emeritus at CUNY, scrutinizes the shortcomings of mainstream US media in his blog titled What’s become of The Times & Co?
Top Marx
The Enduring Influence of Marx’s Masterpiece by Wendy Brown is a compelling introduction to a new translation of Das Kapital.
Head case
In The Left Brain Delusion, Erik J Larson suggests that we’re excessively influenced by one side of our brain.
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