Apple recently announced at the GlowTime event that iOS 18 will introduce a new feature allowing users with mild to moderate hearing loss to utilize AirPods as hearing aids.
Shortly after the announcement, Apple received approval from the FDA for this feature, making it the first “over-the-counter hearing aid software.” FDA leaders believe this approval will enhance the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of hearing support for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
TechCrunch’s Brian Heater tested an early version of the feature last week, revealing that it will require Apple’s latest premium earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2, due to their passive noise cancellation and H2 chip.
In today’s TechCrunch Minute, we explore how Apple’s hearing test operates and the evolving market for hearing aids.
