If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, AirPods could be the hearing aid for you.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved software that turns the latest AirPods Pro into over-the-counter hearing aids. The hearing aid feature will be available on eligible devices via a software update in the coming weeks.

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AirPods Pro 2 will be an over-the-counter hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Photo: Washington Post

Two years ago, the FDA approved over-the-counter hearing aids for the first time, making hearing loss more accessible to more Americans.

According to Apple, the feature works by amplifying some sounds like voices, while reducing the volume of other sounds like noise.

Users can take a hearing test in the Apple Health app, and then the AirPods automatically adjust based on the results. However, the feature is only available on AirPods Pro 2.

The FDA said it tested Apple's hearing aid feature in a clinical study on 118 subjects who believed they had mild or moderate hearing loss.

Accordingly, people who set up AirPods through Apple's hearing test saw similar benefits to those who had their headphones fitted by a professional.

Over-the-counter hearing aids are best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, audiologists say, and can be a bridge for those who may not seek help because of factors like cost or aesthetics.

“Even with mild hearing loss, an individual’s quality of life is impaired because some isolate themselves from their community,” said Jackie Clark, clinical professor of audiology at the University of Texas.

Apple is one of the most popular headphone brands in the world, with a 19.2% global market share, according to research firm IDC.

Some people may find AirPods Pro 2 more appealing than traditional hearing aids, which require testing, prescriptions, and thousands of dollars for the device.

Jitesh Ubrani, research director at IDC, said that many brands are interested in entering the over-the-counter hearing aid market because there is a segment of customers — typically over 40 — who are experiencing hearing loss but don’t want to wear hearing aids because they make them look older. By adding this feature to the AirPods Pro 2, Apple could have a lasting impact on the market.

However, consumer headphones are not a good solution for people with severe hearing loss, and most over-the-counter hearing aids still need to be fitted by a professional.

(According to Washington Post)