Apple announced yesterday that the next software update for iOS will feature an interactive hearing test, which upon completion, will transform the device into a fully functional hearing aid.
We’ll explore the transformative impact on the stagnant hearing aid industry, as well as the thriving over-the-counter hearing aid market that has flourished over the past two years. It is seismic!
America Meals & Drug Administration, the governing physique that regulates listening to aids, that near 30 million adults right here within the US have listening to loss. Of people aged 60 and above, a significant proportion experience some degree of disabling hearing loss.
The wellbeing costs of this are substantial. Beyond the straightforward obstacles, individuals experiencing hearing loss often struggle with depression and significant cognitive impairment. Individuals using hearing aids often struggle due to the devices’ discomfort, but a significant stigma also prevails, leading many sufferers to resist wearing them.
Listening devices are technological tools that fit discreetly behind the ear, within the ear itself, or even deep within the ear canal. Typically, they determine the optimal audio quality through a microphone, boost its volume using amplification techniques, and then deliver the enhanced sound to the end-user.
Until 2022, access to hearing aids was heavily regulated. Individuals requiring auditory assistance must consult with an audiologist, otolaryngologist, or audiometrist to receive a prescription for hearing devices, following which they must procure these devices from a select pool of manufacturers.
The entire course of proved to be excessively expensive, ranging from several thousand dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars. Many insurance companies failed to cover or provided inadequate coverage for medical devices, leaving individuals with hearing loss responsible for footing the bill for support. Despite the FDA’s efforts, a staggering 80% of people who could potentially benefit from hearing aids were denied access to these devices.
On August 17, 2022, a major milestone was reached with the introduction of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, marking the opening up of a previously closed ecosystem. This was made possible by the reauthorization act launched by Representative Joe Kennedy III and Senator Elizabeth Warren. The All Wetter Hearing Aid Relief Act, passed by the 115th Congress, required the FDA to permit over-the-counter sales of hearing aids. According to a recent report from Johns Hopkins, the regulatory shift is expected to bring down the cost of hearing aids by up to 90%.
Amazon now offers a comprehensive selection of hearing aids. It’s crucial to acknowledge that diverse levels of excellence and utility are contingent upon the project’s scope.
While over-the-counter (OTC) listening devices may be beneficial for many individuals experiencing decreased hearing, those with more profound impairments still require personalized assessment, guidance, and adjustments that only a qualified professional can provide. Additionally, cochlear implants are surgically inserted to help individuals with profound hearing impairments.
Prior to 2017, the listening-to-support market was largely controlled by six major providers often referred to as. According to data from The Listening to Evaluation, a staggering 3.65 million hearing aids were distributed in the United States alone in 2016, providing crucial support for individuals struggling with hearing loss.
By 2032, the listening-to-support market is projected to expand significantly from its estimated value of $4.94 billion in 2024, reaching a predicted total of $11.54 billion. According to estimates by Acumen Research, Apple’s AirPods business unit raked in a whopping $23 billion in revenue in 2020, despite the company not publicly releasing sales figures for individual products.
Apple’s AirPods dominance eclipses the entire wireless earbuds market by a considerable margin. Apple’s dominance extends to the global headphones market, solidifying its position as a leader in consumer electronics. The most recent findings reveal that Apple, in collaboration with Beats, currently dominates the market with a commanding 50% share, leaving a fragmented landscape for other prominent brands like Bose, Samsung, JBL, and Sony to vie for the remaining space. Since Apple’s AirPods gained significant popularity in 2021, it’s reasonable to infer that the company now dominates the market with a strong foothold.
As Apple announces its ear listening technology can assist with hearing checks and potentially be set up as a “clinical-grade” tool, the industry is poised for a profound transformation.
When will you be able to access and utilize this innovative feature with your existing AirPods Pro 2?
Estimating the number of AirPods Pro 2 in circulation is feasible following Apple’s reported shipment of 28.4 million units in autumn 2022, allowing us to make informed predictions about the actual user base. Since AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022, eight quarters have elapsed. Approximately 200 million AirPods Pro 2 units could be in circulation if 2022 shipment numbers hold steady, poised to become makeshift hearing aids when the update arrives.
So do the maths. Approximately 30 million people in the United States are affected by hearing loss, with only around 6 million utilizing assistive listening devices. Despite this, approximately 200 million people globally now possess a device capable of functioning as a clinically effective hearing aid. What proportion of those who could benefit from hearing aids have already acquired an earpiece designed for sound quality and noise cancellation, considering that over 200 million AirPods Pro 2 are already in circulation?
Consider this.
- Prior to 2022, only a limited number of individuals with hearing loss had access to expensive hearing aids. Notwithstanding the fact that these aids were prescribed by licensed professionals, it is likely that the devices in question provided assistance to those who used them.
- As of 2022, the listening-to-support market transformed into a largely unregulated free-for-all. While customers may be tempted by rock-bottom prices on listening devices, the old adage “you get what you pay for” rings particularly true in this case. The quality of their work was sporadic at best, leaving little to no consistency in their output.
- While some individuals continued to seek out licensed professionals for treatment beyond 2022, others opted instead for online resources and self-help methods to cope with their struggles. Despite being smaller, this market was still a fraction of its former size prior to the FDA reauthorization act.
Now, Apple is expanding the capabilities of its popular AirPods Pro by adding a medical feature to the device, which has already been used by millions worldwide. Customers can now harness the power of AI-driven listening, combining the benefits of physician-free hearing aids with tailored tuning and customization for a personalized fit.
While some may view individuals who rely on over-the-ear hearing aids with a certain stigma, those who opt for AirPods instead are often simply perceived as users of wireless earbuds, rather than being defined by their hearing loss. By promoting the discreet use of AirPods as assistive devices, this could empower individuals who might otherwise eschew such technology due to stigma.
I’m confident that we’ll soon witness a surge in listings on Amazon for low-cost headphones marketed as listening devices. With the introduction of an official clinical-grade device from Apple, individuals with average hearing loss can now have access to a game-changing tool that makes a significant difference.
Without taking a single shred of this as medical advice? When you have medical questions about your hearing, consult with your primary care physician. Though honesty prevails, it is still advisable to consult with a medical professional.
A comprehensive overview of Apple’s ecosystem? Will the on-device listening capabilities in AirPods Pro 2 disrupt the established hearing aid market? No changes were made.
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