Apple’s AirPods can already serve as makeshift hearing aids, but they look to add even more useful health features, according to a new report.
Apple serial leaker Mark Gurman says that Cupertino plans to “upgrade true wireless earbuds to health tools within a year or two”, adding that “the ability to capture some sort of hearing data ” claims to be added.
AirPods already offer features such as Live Listen and Conversation Boost for the deaf, but these features have not been officially approved by international regulatory health bodies such as the FDA.
Apple has never explicitly touted the AirPods as a potential hearing aid replacement, but Gurman said on his Power On blog that the company plans to make the feature “more official” in the near future. I claim.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen reports that Apple is looking to extend the usefulness of AirPods beyond audio playback into the realm of health-monitoring devices.
Back in 2020, rumors circulated that future AirPod designs would feature ambient light sensors that could measure blood oxygen levels.
A recent Apple patent application also details an earphone-based fitness monitoring system that uses biometric sensors to detect temperature, heart rate, sweat level, and more via skin contact and built-in motion sensors. I’m here.
Analysis: Future features could bring healthy benefits to all AirPod users (Image credit: Apple)
From providing support to improve yoga poses to monitoring cardio, the venerable AirPods could soon rival the Apple Watch in health features, if a string of leaks and pending patents is any indication. there is.
Gurman doesn’t speculate what hearing data the new feature might collect, but he suspects the earbuds could be used in conjunction with the iPhone for standardized hearing tests.
What’s encouraging about these rumored new features is that they may not be exclusive to the upcoming AirPods. Current models already have speakers and a microphone. That means these new health smarts can be added to your existing earbuds via firmware update.
