Apple’s Forthcoming Hearing Test App Set to Revolutionize Hearing Aids
Apple has made significant strides in the field of hearing health with its upcoming Hearing Test app, showcased during the “Glowtime” event. The app, built into iOS 18, is designed to detect mild to moderate hearing loss and pair with a newly announced hearing aid feature. Although still awaiting FDA approval, the app demonstrates striking similarities to clinical predecessors, guiding users to tap the display as they first hear gradually rising tones of different frequencies.
The hearing aid feature will only be available on the second-generation AirPods Pro, thanks to the ear tips’ passive noise canceling abilities and the inclusion of the H2 chip. Once enabled, the app will take around five minutes to complete and produce a custom sound profile based on test results, which will be the default for conversations, movies, and music.
Notably, the feature will also be accessible to users with no apparent hearing loss, allowing them to fine-tune playback settings. This raises the question of whether Apple is laying the groundwork for broader user-customizable sound profiles, akin to the Apple Watch’s AssistiveTouch feature.
The Apple hearing aid feature is a significant breakthrough in the space, as the FDA only established over-the-counter hearing aids as a category in mid-2023. The Hearing Test app’s potential to mainstream customizable sound profiles could enhance the Apple audio experience, drawing inspiration from companies like Nura.
When the AirPods Pro 2 arrive, users will be able to access the hearing aid feature through settings, once their AirPods are paired and inserted into their ears. The implications of this technology are vast, potentially paving the way for more accessible and personalized audio experiences.
