RestorEar is always excited about new developments in the hearing technology space. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new piece of software that will enable Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 to be used as an over-the-counter hearing aid. This tech development was part of a years-long study conducted by Apple and researchers at the University of Michigan.  

Like a regular hearing aid, the software amplifies certain sounds like voices while lowering unwanted noise. Hearing tests will also be available with the feature. 

Next week marks the two-year anniversary of the FDA clearance of over-the–counter (OTC) hearing aids. Despite huge gains for overall health offered by these devices, uptake has been low. AirPods may offer a solution for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss who are not ready to commit to a hearing aid but who could benefit from hearing support in certain settings. 

Choosing the right hearing aid is not always easy. If you think this technology may be right for you, you should speak with your regular healthcare provider or audiologist. The RestorEar team is excited to see how this technology may benefit countless patients.