During the massive It's Glowtime event, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro 2 earphones will include a revolutionary new feature that allows them to be used as over-the-counter hearing aids

Following this announcement, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Apple approval for “the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device intended to be used with a compatible version of the Apple AirPods Pro headphones, Hearing Aid Feature (HAF) The company announced that it had

According to the FDA, the AirPods Pro 2, already one of the best wireless earbuds available, can amplify sound for people with mild to moderate hearing loss if customized to the user's hearing needs The government agency also stated that the feature is intended for users 18 years of age and older

A key part of the FDA release mentions that users can adjust the AirPods Pro 2 to fit their hearing needs without the help of a hearing specialist For those who don't want to (or can't afford to) go to a doctor, being able to adjust volume, tone, and balance settings themselves is a great option

According to the FDA, testing of hearing aid functionality in 118 adults with mild to moderate hearing loss at multiple facilities across the US found that Apple's AirPods Pro 2 were as effective as professionally fitted hearing aids The FDA report states, “The HAF self-fitting strategy perceived similar benefits as subjects who received a professional fitting of the same hearing aids” No hearing aid-related adverse events were observed in this study"

Commenting on the importance of commonly available OTC hearing aids, Michelle Tarver, MD, PhD, acting director of FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said D, “Today's marketing approval of over-the-counter hearing aid software for widely used consumer audio products is another step forward in advancing the availability, accessibility, and acceptance of hearing assistance for adults who are aware of mild to moderate hearing loss”

More than 30 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss, whether due to natural aging, exposure to loud noise, medical conditions, or other factors, and as the FDA notes, the ready availability of devices like the AirPods Pro 2 could help older adults with mental decline, depression, and health problems may lead to a reduction in the frequency and severity of these problems