Apple Expands Health Features with Sleep Apnea and Hearing Solutions
Apple has announced several updates to its Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2 with implications for improving sleep and hearing health. Among the most notable features are sleep apnea notifications and a comprehensive hearing health solution, which may offer users new ways to monitor and manage conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.
These features are currently awaiting regulatory approvals, including from the FDA, with rollout expected later this year in multiple regions.
Sleep Apnea Detection
Apple Watch’s new sleep apnea notification feature is designed to help users detect potential signs of the condition by monitoring “Breathing Disturbances” during sleep.
Sleep apnea, which is estimated to affect over a billion people globally, often goes undiagnosed, potentially leading to long-term health issues such as hypertension and heart disease.
Using data collected via the watch’s accelerometer, the feature is intended to analyze breathing patterns and flag interruptions that might indicate moderate to severe sleep apnea.
If confirmed by a healthcare professional, this early detection may assist in initiating a medical diagnosis.
The feature is anticipated to be available in over 150 countries by the end of the month, offering users a new insight into their health.
While this is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis, experts suggest that such technology could play a role in raising awareness of sleep disorders that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Hearing Health
For hearing health, Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 2 update introduces several tools that may assist users in monitoring and protecting their hearing.
The new features include active Hearing Protection, a clinical-grade Hearing Test, and an over-the-counter Hearing Aid, positioning the AirPods Pro 2 as a potentially more accessible option for managing hearing loss.
The Hearing Protection feature is designed to reduce exposure to loud environments while maintaining sound clarity, potentially benefiting users who are frequently in noisy settings.
Meanwhile, the new Hearing Test function allows users to evaluate their hearing using their AirPods and a compatible iPhone, providing results that are stored securely in the Health app.
Users can then share this information with healthcare professionals if needed.
Perhaps most notably, the AirPods Pro 2’s over-the-counter Hearing Aid feature, which is awaiting approval, could offer a lower-cost alternative to traditional hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. This feature would adjust sound dynamically based on the user’s personalized hearing profile, enabling more tailored assistance.
Researchers and health experts have noted that hearing loss often goes untreated, particularly in its early stages, and tools like these could potentially help more individuals become aware of their hearing health and take action.
The Bigger Picture
While Apple has not made any definitive claims regarding the medical accuracy or replacement of traditional medical devices with these new features, the updates do reflect a growing interest in personal health monitoring through everyday technology.
These tools are designed to provide insights that could complement professional medical advice, allowing users to take a more proactive approach to their health.
The new features will be supported on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, while the hearing health capabilities will be compatible with AirPods Pro 2 paired with iPhones running iOS 18 or later.
Pending regulatory approval, these updates are expected to become available later this year in various regions.
