Apple’s new AirPods are also hearing aids. Can they really save you thousands of dollars?

Samantha Delouya, CNN

(CNN) — During its glossy merchandise announcement arena connected Tuesday, Apple unveiled a caller domiciled for its latest AirPods Pro model: aesculapian device. The institution said nan wireless headphones will double arsenic clinical-grade over-the-counter proceeding immunodeficiency for those who request them.

“We’re adding this groundbreaking capacity to thief much than 1 cardinal group surviving pinch mild to mean proceeding loss,” said Sumbul Ahmad Desai, Apple’s vice president of health.

Apple said its proceeding assistance characteristic will boost frequencies “so sounds are clearer and much vibrant to your ears.” The institution besides said nan characteristic will usage “machine learning to make real-time adjustments arsenic you spell astir your day.”

On Thursday, nan US Food and Drug Administration authorized Apple’s proceeding assistance feature. Apple said nan characteristic would go disposable to AirPods Pro 2 owners this autumn done a package update successful complete 100 countries, including nan United States, Germany, and Japan.

Prescription proceeding immunodeficiency tin costs thousands of dollars. At $249, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 whitethorn beryllium importantly cheaper and much accessible for those who person suffered proceeding nonaccomplishment — but they won’t activity for everyone. Here’s what you request to know:

Apple’s announcement follows FDA changes

Close to 30 cardinal US adults person immoderate grade of proceeding loss, but only astir one-fifth of those group activity assistance for nan issue, according to nan FDA.

For group pinch untreated proceeding loss, utilizing proceeding immunodeficiency tin trim nan complaint of cognitive diminution and whitethorn little nan consequence of depression, according to nan FDA. However, experts person said that nan precocious costs of expert visits and proceeding immunodeficiency kept immoderate from seeking treatment.

Apple’s announcement comes 2 years aft nan FDA greenlit nan waste of over-the-counter proceeding aids. Since then, adults pinch mild to mean proceeding nonaccomplishment person been capable to bargain proceeding immunodeficiency straight from stores aliases manufacturers online without nan thief of a doctor.

To entree nan caller proceeding assistance feature, AirPods Pro 2 users will person to return a trial that will analyse their proceeding nonaccomplishment by playing a bid of tones.

“After you return a proceeding test, your AirPods Pro are transformed into a personalized proceeding aid, boosting circumstantial sounds you request successful real-time, for illustration parts of reside aliases elements wrong your environment,” said Desai.

But over-the-counter proceeding immunodeficiency for illustration these aren’t ever nan solution for proceeding loss. The FDA still requires group nether 18 years aged to acquisition proceeding immunodeficiency by prescription. Over-the-counter proceeding aids, specified arsenic Apple’s offering, besides are not a curen for “severe aliases profound” proceeding loss, according to nan FDA. Those pinch important proceeding nonaccomplishment should still consult a wellness attraction professional.

“Today’s trading authorization of an over-the-counter proceeding assistance package connected a wide utilized user audio merchandise is different measurement that advances nan availability, accessibility and acceptability of proceeding support for adults pinch perceived mild to mean proceeding loss,” said Michelle Tarver, acting head of nan FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health successful a connection connected Thursday.

This isn’t nan first clip Apple has dabbled successful nan wellness attraction space. Apple’s Watch tin observe irregular bosom rhythms associated pinch atrial fibrillation aliases AFib, which tin lead to humor clots, changeable and bosom failure, according to nan American Heart Association.

On Tuesday, Apple announced that its latest Apple Watch 10 tin besides alert users to slumber apnea, a information successful which breathing stops and starts many times during sleep.

High hopes for Apple’s caller proceeding assistance feature

Barbara Kelley, nan executive head of Hearing Loss Association of America, said she had hoped for an announcement for illustration Apple’s aft nan FDA opened up nan marketplace to over-the-counter offerings 2 years ago.

“This is what we wanted successful nan market, to spot exertion invention to really get group to salary attraction to their proceeding health,” Kelley said.

Kelley said she hoped Apple’s caller merchandise would promote much group to reside proceeding loss.

“There’s still a stigma attached to proceeding nonaccomplishment coming pinch aging,” Kelley said. “But my goodness, I spot simple schoolhouse kids pinch these AirPods successful their ears. If it tin besides service arsenic a proceeding aid, I deliberation that’s really exciting.”

Apple’s announcement was applauded by immoderate proceeding assistance users connected societal media, arsenic well. But galore noted 1 clear advantage accepted proceeding immunodeficiency person complete AirPods: Hearing immunodeficiency person artillery life measured successful days, not hours.

“As personification who is proceeding impaired, this was nan astir breathtaking point from today’s event,” 1 Reddit personification posted Tuesday. “I americium hoping that they tin make artillery life amended than 3-6 hours. It’d beryllium bully to get 8 hours.”