Apple recently released a revolutionary update to select AirPods, turning them into fully functional over-the-counter hearing aids.

This innovative feature, available exclusively for AirPods Pro 2, begs the question: How does it work, who can benefit from it, and could it replace traditional hearing aids?

The update allows users to use their AirPods to assist with hearing, making it a notable advancement in accessibility for those with hearing loss. Marianne Demsky, a retired teacher from Glen Burnie who has suffered gradual hearing loss over the past 30 years, shared her journey.

“I couldn’t hear my students,” she recalls, prompting her to seek out a hearing test. After trying various hearing aids, she expressed some limitations with the AirPods feature.

“As soon as I heard about the six-hour battery life, I thought, ‘It’s not for me.’ I need something that lasts all day,” she said.

Britney Ometz, owner and audiologist at Anne Arundel Audiologyacknowledge the benefits of this update.

“Many people already have access to Apple products, so this development increases accessibility,” she said. This added feature could help reduce the stigma surrounding hearing aids, as users are already familiar with wearing AirPods.

Ometz notes, however, that the update has limitations. “The six-hour battery life means it may not be suitable for someone who needs hearing assistance throughout the day,” she warned.

AirPods can be especially useful in settings where people have minimal hearing loss and could use a little extra help. “If you’re in a meeting or sitting further back, that would be a good time to use AirPods,” suggested Ometz.

Despite the innovative nature of this update, healthcare professionals stress that it does not replace the need to see an audiologist. Hearing loss can sometimes be related to other problems, such as wax build-up, that require professional evaluation.

Among its features, the new update allows users to upload an audiology test directly to their phone, allowing AirPods to adjust sound settings based on individual hearing needs. In addition, AirPods can perform a hearing test to identify frequencies that the user may not be able to hear.

For those interested in using AirPods in social settings, Ometz highlighted their functionality: “If you wear them to a concert, you can still hear the music by reducing harmful noise levels.”

As this update is limited to AirPods Pro 2 devices, those without the technology or experiencing significant hearing difficulties are still encouraged to consult a medical professional for traditional hearing aids.