RNID welcomes news that Apple have released clinical-grade ‘hearing aid’ feature on AirPods
News that a clinical grade hearing aid feature is now available as a free software upgrade on AirPods Pro 2 in the UK has been welcomed by The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).
Using the personalised hearing profile generated from the intuitive Hearing Test that takes about five minutes to complete, the feature enables personalised dynamic adjustments so users have the sounds around them boosted in real time.
This helps users better engage in conversation and keeps them connected to the people and environment around them. With the incredible audio quality of AirPods Pro, the hearing profile is automatically applied to music, movies, games, and phone calls across devices.
Mild to moderate hearing loss affects millions of people in the UK. Research has shown that untreated hearing loss can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing, including an increased risk of dementia and social isolation.
With the introduction of the Hearing Aid feature, AirPods Pro 2 offers UK users an end-to-end hearing health experience focused on prevention, awareness, and assistance.
Loud Sound Reduction helps users prevent exposure to loud environmental noise while preserving the sound signature of what they’re listening to.
Users are provided with an easy-to-understand summary of their results, including a number representing hearing loss in each ear as well as an audiogram, which is stored privately and securely in the Health app and can be shared with a healthcare provider to have more informed conversations on possible assistance that may be required.
Privacy is fundamental in the design and development across all of Apple’s health features. When a user’s device is locked with a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, all of their health and fitness data in the Health app – other than Medical ID – is encrypted.
Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health, commented: “At Apple, we believe that technology can help people live healthier lives, and we’re delighted to bring the Hearing Aid feature to the UK, offering our users an end-to-end hearing health experience with AirPods Pro 2.”
Crystal Rolfe, Director of Health at RNID, said: “Hearing aid technology has moved on significantly in recent years. The announcement that Apple has today released the hearing aid feature with AirPods Pro 2 has the potential to make a huge difference.
“Right now, there are around eight million people who could benefit from hearing aids in the UK, but only about two million use them, despite high quality hearing aids being available for free on the NHS.
“Bringing this type of technology into the mainstream signals an exciting step change in how people receive hearing care and could encourage more people to consider their hearing health.
“If you have signs of hearing loss, there are still many reasons to see a hearing health professional. They can carry out a full diagnostic hearing assessment, ensure hearing aids are programmed correctly, and also check for any underlying health conditions.
“Therefore, it’s really important that Apple customers using the new hearing aid feature see a hearing professional if they need one and we would encourage Apple to provide information about this to their customers.
“The impact of hearing aids cannot be overstated – they can be life-changing, bringing improvements to physical, social, emotional and mental well-being for users. At RNID, we are currently exploring how other emerging technologies can encourage more people to seek help for hearing loss and create an innovative vision for hearing services in the future.”
