Apple’s AirPods Pro have been authorized by the FDA to function as hearing devices.

The iPhone 16 was the highlight of Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event, but an even more surprising detail came from a completely different area. Among the various new devices presented, a software update for the AirPods Pro 2 caught the eye.

Apple announced that its premium headphones will receive a software update that will allow them to function as over-the-counter hearing aids, a move awaiting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

On Thursday, the FDA granted approval for what it describes as the “first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device”, known as the “Hearing Aid Feature”. It is this software update that will enable the new functionality.

Michelle Tarver of the FDA commented: “Hearing loss is a significant public health problem affecting millions of Americans. Today’s authorization for over-the-counter hearing aid software in a widely used consumer audio product is an important advance in the availability, affordability and acceptability of hearing support for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.”

This innovation is partly a result of the FDA’s October 2022 ruling, which allowed the sale of hearing aids without a prescription, creating a new industry of more affordable hearing devices.

TechCrunch recently tested a demo version of Apple’s new hearing feature. The feature will be available in iOS 18 for anyone using a pair of AirPods Pro 2. To access the new function, users will need to have a diagnosis of mild to moderate hearing loss, which can be obtained through a built-in hearing test or test results from a doctor.

The new hearing aid mode adjusts different frequency levels to amplify important sounds, such as the human voice.

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