According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing various health-related features for AirPods Pro, such as hearing tests and body temperature readings, with the intention of positioning the earbuds as a hearing aid. However, Gurman mentions that these features are still in the early stages of development and may take several months or even years to become available.
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Apple has already introduced temperature sensors in its Apple Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra, and now the company is exploring the integration of similar functionality into AirPods. By incorporating temperature sensors into the earbuds, Apple aims to provide accurate temperature readings through the ear canal.
In terms of hearing tests, the current AirPods already support audiogram profiles that can be adjusted to assist with hearing loss, but these profiles are generated through third-party apps like Mimi. Apple is reportedly considering developing its own system for hearing tests, which would render these third-party apps unnecessary.
To position AirPods Pro as a hearing aid, Apple has been hiring engineers with experience in the traditional hearing aid industry. However, Gurman emphasizes that while these health features are being explored, they are still in the development phase and will likely take some time to be fully realized. In the meantime, an immediate update to the AirPods lineup is expected to involve the introduction of a USB-C charging case for the AirPods Pro.
Gurman concludes that despite the shift to USB-C, it is unlikely that a completely new version of the AirPods Pro will be launched in the near future.
