At their recent iPhone 16 event, Apple unveiled an exciting new feature for their AirPods Pro 2: turning them into clinical-grade hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. With 1.5 billion people worldwide dealing with hearing loss—75% of whom are untreated—Apple AirPods could make a big impact in the hearing-care industry.

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The new Apple AirPods will offer hearing protection, a validated hearing test, and a hearing-aid feature, available soon in over 100 countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Japan.

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Bank of America estimates the hearing aid market to be worth $13 billion, and Apple is positioning its AirPods to tap into this opportunity. Traditional hearing aids are often expensive and hard to access, but Apple AirPods could provide a more affordable and accessible option for millions of people. While they may not suit those with severe hearing loss, Apple AirPods can still help a huge number of users.

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By integrating hearing aids into a device millions already use, Apple AirPods could help reduce health risks like dementia and depression caused by untreated hearing loss.

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