The AirPods Pro 2 can be used as hearing aids – Image Credit: Apple
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Owners of AirPods Pro 2 in the United Kingdom can use the earbuds as hearing aids, with Apple bringing the feature live in the country a few months after the United States.
In the United States, users of the AirPods Pro 2 with hearing difficulties are able to use the earbuds as hearing aids in their own right. On Monday, Apple extended support for the feature to the United Kingdom.
Introduced as a free update enabled on February 24, the Hearing Aid feature is a clinical-grade function that acts to a similar level as over-the-counter hearing aids.
The release in the United Kingdom will be an extremely useful for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Research has revealed that untreated hearing loss could result in an increased risk of dementia and social isolation, as well as a detriment to a person’s overall health.
“At Apple, we believe that technology can help people live healthier lives, and we’re delighted to bring the Hearing Aid feature to the UK, offering our users an end-to-end hearing health experience with AirPods Pro 2,” said Apple VP of Health Sumbul Desai M.D.
A hearing upgrade
Users in the UK can use the personalized hearing profile generated from the Hearing Test, which takes about five minutes to complete. That can create personalized dynamic adjustments to boost sounds around the user in real time.
For the user, they get to feel more connected with people and the local environment, and to help them better engage in conversation. The profile is also applied when listening to music, phone calls, video, and games.
The Hearing Test results are provided with an easy-to-understand summary, including a figure of how much hearing loss has occurred in each ear, and an audiogram securely stored in the Health app. That audiogram can also be shared with a healthcare provider for further hearing assistance.
The hearing health functions also include Loud Sound Reduction to prevent exposure to loud environmental noise.
The UK rollout follows after the United States enabled support in October 2024, and a prior expansion into France, Cyprus, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, and Spain in December.
While there was no mention of why it took so long for the UK to get Hearing Aid support versus other countries, it is likely to be due to a need for regulatory approval before being offered as a health benefit to the public.
