Apple AirPods Pro 2 Receive FDA Clearance as Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Key Insights
Apple (search)'s AirPods Pro 2 (search) received FDA clearance in September 2024 as over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss (search), marking a significant entry into medical device territory.
The feature is now rolling out to additional countries including Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, expanding access to hearing assistance technology.
Unlike traditional hearing aids costing thousands of dollars, the AirPods Pro 2 (search) offer hearing aid functionality at approximately $200 through software-based hearing tests and custom audio profiles.
Apple (search)'s AirPods Pro 2 (search) have officially received FDA clearance as over-the-counter hearing aids, representing a significant milestone in the convergence of consumer electronics and medical devices. The approval, granted in September 2024, allows the earbuds to function as hearing assistance devices for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss (search), potentially addressing a market need affecting an estimated 30 million Americans.
Expanding Global Access
CEO Tim Cook confirmed in a July 15 post on X that the hearing aid feature is rolling out to additional countries this month, including Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This expansion follows the initial FDA clearance and represents Apple (search)'s broader push into healthcare technology through its existing consumer products.
Software-Based Hearing Assessment
The AirPods Pro 2 (search) hearing aid functionality operates entirely through software, eliminating the need for traditional audiologist visits. Users begin with a five-minute hearing test delivered via iPhone or iPad, which measures their ability to hear tones at varying frequencies. This data generates a custom hearing profile stored in the iOS Health app, automatically adjusting audio playback across calls, music, and other media.
Apple (search) has also introduced a passive hearing protection mode that reduces exposure to loud environmental noise in real time, with the company stating this feature remains always active.
Market Context and Pricing
The FDA's 2022 approval of over-the-counter hearing aids was designed to expand access to basic hearing care and lower costs. While companies including Bose (search) and Eargo (search) have launched OTC hearing aids since the rule took effect, Apple (search)'s entry arrives through an update to an existing consumer product already owned by millions, priced at approximately $200.
This pricing represents a significant departure from traditional hearing aids. According to user reports, everyday programmed hearing aids can cost over $2,000, with some audiologist recommendations reaching $5,000. Health insurance in the US generally does not cover hearing aid costs, with 90% of users paying out of pocket. The hearing aid market remains concentrated among a few companies, limiting competitive pricing.
Clinical Performance and Limitations
Early user experiences reveal both promise and limitations. According to Ashley Shew, author of "Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement," the AirPods Pro 2 (search) provide "an opportunity for those with mild hearing loss (search) to see if some of the functions of a hearing aid might be useful," but noted they are "simply okay" rather than exceptional.
Key limitations identified include exacerbation of tinnitus (search) after extended wear, unlike prescription hearing aids that can help manage the condition. The devices also plug the entire ear canal, potentially causing discomfort and swimmer's ear after hours of use. Additionally, users may experience poor sound quality, inadequate discernment between sounds, and difficulties in certain environments like crowded rooms - issues shared with other OTC hearing aids and some prescription devices.
Broader Health Technology Integration
The hearing aid feature represents part of Apple (search)'s expanding healthcare portfolio. The company simultaneously received FDA clearance for sleep apnea (search) detection on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models. This tool uses wrist motion data to flag "breathing disturbances" during sleep and has been trained and validated using clinical datasets to analyze breathing patterns over time.
The sleep apnea (search) detection feature categorizes results as "elevated" or "not elevated," viewable in the Health app along with reports users can share with physicians. Apple (search) emphasizes that the algorithm is clinically validated and intended to support, rather than replace, formal diagnosis or treatment.
Global Health Impact
According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 billion people globally - nearly 20% of the population - live with some form of hearing loss (search), with the vast majority not using hearing aids. This disconnect is often attributed to stigma, limited access, and cost - challenges Apple (search) aims to address by integrating hearing assistance into mainstream consumer hardware.
Apple (search) has maintained careful positioning of these tools as supplemental, useful for early detection or lifestyle awareness, but not total replacements for clinical care. While the AirPods now technically qualify as hearing aids under FDA rules, their software-only setup means users manage their own hearing support without audiologist involvement.