The TGA has approved AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids
The AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature announced earlier this year has been approved for Aussie consumers by the TGA, so now it's up to Apple to release the feature.
Earlier this year Apple announced that its AirPods Pro 2 earbuds would get a software update that turned them into affordable hearing aids. It was a cool feature that wasn't going to arrive in Australia until it had been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Association, or TGA.
Well, as spotted by Trev over at EFTM, the TGA has officially given Apple the go-ahead. The AirPods Pro 2 are now officially approved as an over-the counter hearing aid device.
In the public summary, the Intended purpose is described like this:
The Hearing Aid Feature is a software-only mobile medical application that is intended to be used with compatible wearable electronic products. The feature is intended to amplify sound for individuals 18 years of age or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment. The Hearing Aid Feature utilizes a self-fitting strategy and is adjusted by the user to meet their hearing needs without the assistance of a hearing professional. The device is intended for Over-the- Counter use.
There are two parts to using the AirPods 2 as a hearing aid. The first part is to conduct a clinical grade hearing test. The second is to amplify and adjust the sound output of the AirPods to help people hear frequencies they might otherwise struggle to hear.
With the TGA approval now sorted, the ball is in Apple's court to release the functionality. It will be delivered via a software update, and probably not too far away.
If you're getting older like me and your hearing is starting to struggle, then a pair of $399 AirPods Pro could be a nice and affordable way to work around your hearing limitations.
[via EFTM]
