Affordable hearing help? Apple’s AirPods may soon assist Australians 👂🔊
TGA approval brings Apple’s hearing aid features one step closer to reality.
For many Australians over 60, hearing loss is a common challenge – but now, an everyday gadget may offer an affordable solution. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earphones have been approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for their new hearing aid and hearing test features, bringing them one step closer to use Down Under.
These features, which launched in October across more than 100 countries, allow users with mild to moderate hearing loss to enhance their hearing and even track their hearing health at home. However, while Apple has secured TGA approval, the features are not yet active in Australia. A future software update is expected to switch them on.
Apple promises hearing tech ‘as soon as possible’
Many Australians were disappointed when the AirPods hearing features weren’t available upon their global launch. Apple has now reassured users that the approval is “an important first step” and that it is working through the necessary steps to activate the technology “as soon as possible.”
While Apple hasn’t confirmed a timeline, this approval is encouraging for those seeking cost-effective hearing assistance. Traditional hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars, while AirPods Pro 2 – already popular for their sound quality and noise cancellation—could offer a significantly cheaper alternative.
A growing trend in tech-enabled health care
Apple isn’t stopping with hearing support. The company is also waiting for TGA approval for a sleep apnoea detection feature on its Apple Watch, which is already available in 150 countries. This tool would notify wearers if their breathing is irregular during sleep, potentially alerting them to a serious health condition.
However, Australians have experienced long waits for Apple’s health features before. When the Apple Watch’s heart monitoring tools were first introduced in the US in 2018, it took until May 2021 for them to be approved and activated in Australia. It remains unclear how long the wait will be for hearing aid activation and sleep apnoea detection.
What this means for older Australians
For those in their golden years, easy-to-use and budget-friendly technology can make a real difference. If Apple’s hearing features become available in Australia, they could provide a convenient option for people who need hearing assistance but aren’t ready – or able- to invest in traditional hearing aids.
While the wait continues, one thing is certain: technology is rapidly changing the way we manage our health, and Australians over 60 could soon have more accessible options to support their hearing and overall wellbeing.
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