Apple users in the United Kingdom can now access a new Hearing Aid feature on the AirPods Pro 2, thanks to a software update released today.
This follows regulatory changes made by the UK government earlier this year, removing limits that had previously prevented the feature’s activation.
The feature, designed to assist individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, transforms AirPods Pro 2 into an over-the-counter hearing aid.
Users can take a five-minute hearing test, generating a personalised hearing profile that enhances surrounding sounds in real-time.
This functionality aims to improve conversations and overall auditory awareness while maintaining the high-quality audio Apple is known for.
Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health, noted the company’s focus on accessible technology, stating: “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.”
Millions of people in the UK experience hearing difficulties, and untreated hearing loss has been linked to various health issues, including dementia and social isolation. With the integration of hearing assistance into a widely used consumer device, Apple is providing an accessible and affordable alternative to traditional hearing aids.
Beyond hearing amplification, the update introduces Loud Sound Reduction, which helps protect users from excessive environmental noise while preserving the clarity of the sounds they want to hear.
The hearing test results are securely stored in the Health app, allowing users to monitor their hearing status over time and share their data with healthcare professionals if needed.
Apple is boosting user privacy, ensuring that health data remains encrypted and inaccessible to third parties. Any hearing-related information stored on iCloud benefits from end-to-end encryption, meaning even Apple cannot access it.
