Based on reputable forums and speculation from news outlets, it seems that technology giant Apple plans to enter the hearing care market in late 2024 to early 2025 – here’s what we know up to now.
Set to be released as part of the next iOS update in September 2024 (as predicted), Apple’s rolling out a new feature for their AirPods called “Hearing Aid Mode.” This new feature will allow Apple AirPods users to use the earbuds as amplifiers for difficult listening environments, similar to previously launched features “Live Listen” in 2019 and 2021’s “Conversation Boost.”
While nothing is officially confirmed, Apple has scheduled a Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10 2024, where details about iOS 18 are expected to be released. Plus, this past January’s edition of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter suggested that this could be the “biggest software update in Apple’s history.”
Apple is also rumoured to be releasing the 3rd generation of the Apple AirPods Pro in early 2025, which are estimated to give users the most benefits from the new Hearing Aid Mode feature.
What Will Hearing Aid Mode Be Like?
There are a few ways to utilize Apple AirPods as sound amplifiers with different apps, but the new Hearing Aid Mode partnered with the AirPods Pro 3 will likely be more sophisticated.
Based on speculation, Apple might introduce features to allow you to self-assess your hearing and use new features to help boost hearing in harder listening environments, functioning like personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs).
We’ll have to wait and see what Apple’s June 10 2024 conference brings regarding updates.
Pros and Cons of Apple’s Hearing Aid Mode
For our American friends, this situation might sound familiar. When over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids were approved by the FDA in 2022, the media failed to tell people that they weren’t prescription hearing aids – for those who bought them, these devices did not deliver on their needs, and for many people, this served as a catalyst to seeking out full-time hearing care.
Our biggest concern is that with media headlines and advertising messages, people could be led to believe that Hearing Aid Mode could deliver them similar results to prescription hearing aid technology.
If people purchase the new AirPods expecting something that they won’t receive, it could then lead them to deciding against addressing their hearing challenges with a professional. It’s important that people understand that Hearing Aid Mode and actual hearing aids are not one and the same.
However, we also see many positives to the introduction of hearing assistance in technology as popular as AirPods.
Hearing aids are often linked to negative stigmas around aging. Seeing the largest technology brand in the world promoting the benefits of better hearing could be a major step forward in normalizing the conversation around hearing loss.
While Hearing Aid Mode cannot compare to the personalized help that prescription hearing aids offer, having more people see the great positives that come with better hearing could lead to treatment of hearing loss challenges becoming more common.
So, What’s Next?
We’re passionate about the latest and greatest in hearing care and will continue to monitor this development for the most updated information about Apple’s Hearing Aid Mode.
For questions about hearing care or concerns about your own hearing challenges, feel free to request a callback and a member of our team will contact you to chat. Alternatively, you can find your nearest location and contact us.
