Hearing Aid Mode on AirPods Pro
With the launch of iOS 18, a new hearing aid mode will arrive for AirPods Pro later this year. This feature is a major development for users who need something similar to a hearing aid.
FDA approval
Apple has not marketed AirPods Pro as hearing aid devices, since that would require FDA approval. However, in August 2022, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new category of over-the-counter hearing devices that do not need to meet the same strict legal requirements.
Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP)
PSAPs are electronic products designed for people without hearing loss, with the purpose of amplifying sounds in specific environments. They are not designed to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent diseases.
Future updates and market impact
The introduction of hearing aid mode on AirPods Pro offers an inexpensive and potentially revolutionary alternative that may drastically change the medical device market and the hearing aid industry.
