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Associated Press

Some Apple AirPods wireless headphones can now be used as hearing aids following a software update.
The move, which so far only benefits users in the United States, has been applauded by experts, even if they only reach a small portion of the millions of Americans with hearing loss.
An estimated 30 million people – one in eight Americans over the age of 12 – have hearing loss in both ears. In Hong Kong, about 246,200 people or 3.3 per cent of the population, have hearing difficulties. Globally, 1.5 billion people – 20 per cent of the world’s population – have some degree of hearing loss.
Millions would benefit from hearing aids but most have never tried them, according to the US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Countless others have tried them, but do not use them because of cost, poor quality, poor fit, how they look or for other reasons.
Over the past few years, there has been a push to change that. Two years ago, US federal rules changed to allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter, a move that many hoped would bring better and cheaper options to patients. And last month, the US Food and Drug Administration approved software from Apple that would turn AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids.
It is unclear yet whether the rule change has helped, experts say. But turning AirPods into hearing aids is the kind of creative move advocates had hoped for. Here is what to know about hearing loss, hearing aids and Apple’s new option.

About 15 per cent of Americans report some difficulty hearing. Most people with hearing loss are over 60, but hearing problems do not only affect older people. One study found men and people living in rural areas are more likely to have hearing loss.
It has been linked to many health effects beyond the ear. It contributes to isolation, depression and cognitive decline, experts say. It raises dementia risk and rewires the brain. It is also been linked to an increased risk of falls – a major health concern among older adults.
“Everything we do, all our relationships, whether it is personal or in our work life, involve hearing conversation,” said Barbara Kelley, executive director of Hearing Loss Association of America. “We’re finding now that the sooner that people can pay attention to their hearing health, the better.”
Before the 2022 rule change by the US Food and Drug Administration, everyone had to see a doctor and get a prescription for a hearing aid to get one. Now they are available without one.
“As more of them are sold, then hopefully the price will go down,” said Elizabeth Stangl, an audiologist at the University of Iowa in the US. “But we haven’t seen a big rush to get them.”
We’re hoping that more people will try it and realise, ‘Yeah, these do help,’
Elizabeth Stangl, audiologist
Even buying over the counter, a decent hearing aid can easily run to US$400 or US$500, said Stangl, who researches how well people adjust to using hearing aids. And some of the less expensive options are really just “cheap amplifiers”, lacking the personalised level settings and noise cancelling features that really make hearing aids helpful.
The hearing aid feature is available with AirPods Pro 2 models, and requires an iPhone or iPad to set it up. It starts with built-in tests that will help users determine if they have hearing loss, set up the feature if they do, and set personalised amplification levels.
The headphones sell for US$249 on Apple’s US website, and HK$1,849 on its Hong Kong website; other retailers sell them at a lower price.
While there are many other earbud-type devices that can function the same way, experts agreed that the AirPods addition is a good one, simply because of the way it could help normalise hearing aids.
“It is just mainstream,” Kelley said. The ubiquity of AirPods could make people worried about the look of a hearing aid more open to using them.

There may be some drawbacks, though. Fit and comfort during long use might be an issue. And while other hearing aids are built to last through a whole day or more, Stangl said the battery life of the AirPods will not allow for that.
She also noted that wearing earbuds can send a message to others that the person does not want to be disturbed or spoken to.
“But we’re hoping that more people will try it and realise, ‘Yeah, these do help,’” she said.
Even if you cannot afford the latest and greatest tech, your smartphone can be a tool to protect and improve your hearing.
Most phones can now turn speech into text, which can help facilitate conversations. iPhone’s “Live Listen” feature turns your phone into an amplifying microphone that can beam your dinner date’s voice right to your ear even if you are in a noisy restaurant.

There are also many apps and websites that can help beyond hearing aids. Some apps can vibrate your phone if an alarm is going off or the dog is barking.
“The majority of people own smartphones and do not realise all that their phone can do, including functioning as a good amplifier for people with mild to moderate hearing loss,” said Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre and former president of the American Academy of Audiology. “This has made hearing care accessible to many.”
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content.
Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.


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Hearing problems? Apple AirPods Pro 2 can help with them thanks to new hearing aid feature

The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved software from Apple that can turn AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids. Photo: AP

The ability of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 to serve as hearing aids may help more people with hearing loss access the tools they need for better overall health. Photo: Shutterstock

 In Hong Kong, about 246,200 people have hearing difficulties. Photo: Shutterstock

Most people with hearing loss are over 60, and one study found men are more likely to have it. Photo: Shutterstock

Many people who need them have tried traditional hearing aids, but do not use them because of cost, poor quality, poor fit, how they look or for other reasons. Photo: Shutterstock

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved software from Apple that can turn AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids. Photo: AP

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Dr Joseph Costello is part of the University of Portsmouth’s faculty of science and health in the UK. Photo: X/joecostellophd

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Hearing loss dramatically raises the risk of dementia, so why are so many people in midlife doing nothing to prevent it? A test is easy to arrange

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Lifestyle

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Health & Wellness

Health

The AirPods’ ability to serve as hearing aids may help more people with hearing loss access the tools they need for better overall health


The AirPods’ ability to serve as hearing aids may help more people with hearing loss access the tools they need for better overall health.
