On September 9, 2024, Apple CEO Cook gave a speech before the start of an Apple event held at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California.
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I tested the new one Hearing health characteristics come appleThe AirPods Pro 2 headphones have saved me the hassle of seeing an audiologist earlier.
apple unveiling Characteristics of the period an event In September, they will be released to the public via a free software update next week. Users can use AirPods Pro 2 to take clinically proven hearing tests and, if applicable, the headphones will act as over-the-counter hearing aids. The headphones will also come with new hearing protection features, such as loud noise cancellation that is turned on by default.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.5 billion people suffer from hearing loss. Entering this market could help Apple boost sales of its $249 AirPods Pro 2. first launch Two years ago.
If you already own headphones, Hearing health characteristics All worth exploring. It takes just minutes to set up and can be easily used from the comfort of your home. AirPods Pro 2 are also a cost-effective option for those looking for assistive hearing technology. For example, other over-the-counter hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars without insurance.
Take a hearing test
I have a pair of third-generation AirPods that I use every day, but this is my first time trying AirPods Pro 2. Afterwards, I stuck them in my ears in preparation for taking Apple’s hearing test.
At its September event, Apple said 80% of U.S. adults had not had a hearing test in the past five years. That’s true in my case. The last time I remember having my hearing tested was in elementary school.
Granted, I didn’t go to great lengths to protect my hearing, so I’m not sure what my results will look like. I felt a little nervous beforehand.
To access the test, you can go into the Health app or your headset’s settings menu. I pulled it up, and it prompted me with some basic questions, including my age, my health, and whether I’d been exposed to noisy environments in the past 24 hours.
You need to test in a very quiet space. Apple conducts background noise testing to make sure your environment is suitable and then evaluates how well the headphones fit in your ears. AirPods Pro 2 come with medium flexible ear tips, but extra small, small, and large ear tip sizes are also included in the box. Apple sells a set of earbuds on its website for around $13 (if you lose them).
I tested it in my apartment and didn’t need to adjust the fit of the headphones. I read the test instructions and then I was good to go.
The listening test plays a series of tones of varying volumes and frequencies, and you click on the screen each time you hear a sound. Starting from my left ear and getting to my right ear, it took a little over five minutes.
The hearing test is simple. There are some long pauses between tones, so I think I doubted myself occasionally. Apple’s search for a quiet space to conduct this test is no joke. Some of the tones were so soft that I almost had to hold my breath to hear them. My test also automatically paused a few times when there was traffic passing outside, so I recommend finding a room that’s as close to quiet as possible.
You can take the test as many times as you like and you’ll get your results immediately upon completion. A copy is stored in the Health app and can be shared with your doctor.
I learned that I have virtually no hearing loss in either ear, although some frequencies may be harder for me to receive. It’s so nice to have this inner peace.
Using headphones as a hearing aid
Since I have minimal hearing loss, I was prompted to turn on a feature called Media Assist, which uses my hearing test results to adjust the clarity of calls, music, and videos based on my specific profile.
I had Media Assist enabled when I used my AirPods Pro 2 to FaceTime friends and family, watch CNBC, and listen to different types of music on Spotify. I didn’t hear much of a difference in listening to music or TV, but I did notice that the sound on my FaceTime calls seemed to be amplified. It’s a subtle change, but I find it helpful.
If your test results show that you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you will be prompted to set up the headphones and use them as clinical-grade hearing aids. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officially recognized Apple’s September hearing aid software.
“After you take a hearing test, your AirPods Pro will transform into personalized hearing aids that instantly enhance the specific sounds you need, such as parts of speech or elements in your environment,” said Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple vice president in a pre-recorded video last month. said in the video.
The hearing aid feature is intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, but even users who do not fall into this category can turn it on in their settings. Out of curiosity, I turned it on while walking around New York City, running errands, watching TV, and chatting with roommates.
This feature instantly amplifies the world around me, and I joke that it feels like a superpower. It’s easier for me to hear quiet conversations on TV, and my conversations are amplified. Interestingly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the loud sounds of the city, which I suspect is due to the earbuds’ new hearing protection feature.
Using hearing aids can take some getting used to, so don’t worry if it doesn’t feel natural. You can also make specific adjustments in Settings and iOS Control Center based on your preferences.
Even though I don’t need to use the hearing aid features, it’s still cool to try. It would be nice to turn it on in a crowded New York City restaurant, but otherwise I get the support I need from the media accessibility features.
Media Assist will also be activated if you have mild to moderate hearing loss and are prompted to turn on your hearing aids. Your AirPods Pro 2 automatically adjust when you make calls, watch movies, and listen to music on all your Apple devices.
Even though I wasn’t an ideal candidate for hearing aids, I was happy to tell my parents and grandparents. Since the AirPods Pro 2 look like any other Apple earbuds, they’re less noticeable than many existing hearing aids, which I expect will be an added bonus for many users.
