Apple has received approval from US regulators to incorporate a hearing aid feature in its upcoming AirPods Pro 2, marking a significant development in accessible hearing technology.

This feature will allow users to test their hearing and receive assisted listening, potentially transforming the hearing aid market.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that studies showed users found the AirPods as effective as traditional hearing aids.

FDA acting director Michelle Tarver highlighted the importance of addressing hearing loss, which affects millions of Americans, and emphasized Apple’s role in improving access to hearing support.

Priced at $249, the AirPods Pro 2 are considerably more affordable than typical clinical-grade hearing aids.

Users will be able to conduct a five-minute hearing test using their iPhone or iPad, creating a personalized hearing profile that can be applied across various media without manual adjustments.

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Apple plans to roll out these features in over 100 countries pending health authority approvals, furthering its commitment to health and wellness integration in its devices.

This development has been welcomed by organizations like the Hearing Loss Association of America, which sees it as a positive step for millions already using Apple products.