Apple’s AirPods Pro has a major update that will roll out with iOS 18!

 

Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman revealed in the latest edition of the newsletter that Apple will be making a major software update to the AirPods Pro in 2024, which will include a hearing aid mode that will be rolled out with iOS 18. Gurman noted that the “Live Listen” feature, which was already introduced in 2018 with iOS 12, works by turning the iPhone into a directional microphone and transmitting audio in real time. Additionally, Apple introduced Conversation Enhancement for the AirPods Pro in 2021, which improves the ability of the microphone directly in front of the user to pick up audio.

Notably, following new guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a class of hearing aids can be purchased over the counter and do not require a physical exam or audiologist fitting. These new products can be sold directly to consumers in stores or online.

 

 

A recent study published in the journal iScience found that the sound amplification feature of Apple’s AirPods Pro can help adults with mild to moderate hearing loss hear and perform as well as two professional prescription-grade hearing aids.

It’s worth noting that, according to the report, more hardware improvements and innovative designs could be coming in the future. However, we haven’t seen any hardware changes in the current version.

Overall, the AirPods Pro will continue to offer a great audio experience and advanced communication features, but there could be more significant updates regarding the software in the future. We look forward to the rollout of these new features and incorporating them into our everyday experience with headphones and smartphones.