Apple Working on Hearing Health Monitoring Features for AirPods, May Be Ready in Two Years: Mark Gurman

Apple has already introduced features like Live Listen and Conversation Boost for the AirPods Pro.

Written by Himani Jha, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 13 March 2023 18:34 IST

Apple Working on Hearing Health Monitoring Features for AirPods, May Be Ready in Two Years: Mark Gurman

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (pictured) were launched last year in September

Highlights

Apple’s hearing features are yet to be approved by the US FDA
The AirPods could soon be equipped with hearing-related features
These features will reportedly come to AirPods in early 2025

Apple is reportedly planning to bring new health features to the AirPods product line, but not before 2025. The Cupertino-based tech giant is likely to add a hearing-based health feature to the AirPods, including “the ability to get hearing data of some sort,” according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. While Apple is yet to share any details about its plans to launch new health-centric features for the AirPods, previous reports have suggested that the firm is also working on a new version of its AirPods that will compete with less expensive wireless earbuds.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman states (via MacRumors) that Apple is working on new health sensors, including “the ability to get hearing data of some sort.” The feature is likely to arrive within the next couple of years, according to Gurman. This hints that the new health sensors on AirPods could be seen in 2025.

Gurman notes that Apple has already been working on more hearing-related features that are available on AirPods Pro models, including Live Listen and Conversation Boost. However, these features are yet to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to an older report from 2016, the company was previously working on health monitoring sensors for future AirPods models. The feature would reportedly help measure temperature, heart rate, perspiration levels, and more, through skin contact and via built-in motion sensors.

Meanwhile, Apple is also reportedly working on a new generation of AirPods that may be dubbed as AirPods Lite. The purported AirPods are likely to compete with more affordable earphones with a target price of $99 (roughly Rs. 8,000). Additionally, there could also be an improved version of the AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones. Apple currently offers AirPods 2 for Rs. 14,900, while the AirPods 3 are priced at Rs. 19,900 in India.

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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design / Comfort
Audio Quality
Battery Life
Value For Money

Good
Classic design with improved controls
Comfortable fit
State-of-the-art charging case
Very good battery life
Flexible, eager sound quality
Excellent ANC and transparency modes

Bad
Some features only work on Apple devices
Somewhat expensive

Read detailed Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones review

Colour White

Headphone Type In-Ear

Microphone Yes

Connectivity True Wireless Stereo (TWS)

Type Earphones

More Apple Headphones & Headset

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design / Comfort
Audio Quality
Battery Life
Value For Money

Good
Comfortable fit, good controls
MagSafe wireless charging
Works well with iOS, Siri, and Apple Music
Good battery life
Very good sound quality and performance on calls

Bad
Expensive
Lack of noise isolation can be bothersome
Full feature set needs an iOS device to use

Read detailed Apple AirPods (3rd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones review