Apple is revolutionising health-focused technology in its wearable devices, introducing groundbreaking updates to the AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. These features, which were first announced last year, are finally arriving in Malaysia, bringing advanced hearing health and sleep apnea detection to more users.
AirPods Pro 2: From Wireless Earbuds to Hearing Aids
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 (2nd generation) now come with a self-administered hearing test and an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid feature. This development, designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, represents a shift in how hearing assistance is provided.
Hearing Test and Hearing Aid Features
The Hearing Test Feature (HTF) uses tones across frequencies from 250Hz to 8000Hz to generate an audiogram, allowing users to assess their hearing ability without visiting a clinic. This self-administered test is clinically validated and FDA-listed, ensuring it meets medical standards.
For those with hearing loss, the Apple Hearing Aid Feature (HAF) can automatically adjust sound amplification based on the audiogram. Users can also fine-tune their hearing settings with controls for Amplification, Tone, and Balance, making the AirPods Pro 2 function as an effective self-fitting hearing aid.
Hearing Protection & Noise Control
The new Hearing Protection mode also helps minimise exposure to loud environments. By combining Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Loud Sound Reduction, Apple aims to reduce the risk of further hearing damage caused by prolonged noise exposure.
Apple Watch: Sleep Apnea Detection Through Breathing Analysis
Apple is also tackling sleep health with a Sleep Apnea Notification Feature on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that often goes undiagnosed, with links to cardiovascular diseases and other health risks.
How It Works
Apple Watch uses its accelerometer sensors to detect Breathing Disturbances during sleep. If these disturbances occur frequently over a 30-day period, the watch notifies users of potential moderate to severe sleep apnea. The feature is based on a clinically validated algorithm trained on thousands of sleep study recordings from diverse participants.
Unlike traditional sleep apnea tests that require a polysomnography (PSG) test in a sleep lab, Apple’s method provides continuous, long-term monitoring. With a specificity rate of 98.5%, the system is designed to minimise false positives while still detecting at-risk users accurately.
What This Means for Users
Apple’s push into health and wellness technology demonstrates its ambition to make medical-grade monitoring accessible in everyday devices. The AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Watch are no longer just lifestyle accessories—they are powerful health tools capable of assisting users with hearing loss and detecting early signs of sleep apnea.
While these features are not a substitute for professional medical treatment, they provide valuable data that can encourage users to seek further medical advice.
Head over to the official Apple website for more information.
