FDA approves Apple's AirPods Pro as hearing aids

The FDA has approved a new feature for Apple's AirPods Pro that allows them to double as hearing aids. The self-fitting software aims to help users with mild to moderate hearing loss, providing a less expensive alternative to traditional aids.

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings" co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.

[splatdon]

This is not only a huge win for Apple but a win for consumers with hearing loss!

[addict]

Now that they are FDA approved, should we expect insurance providers to cover them now?

[MichePiece]

yeah but its not the fact that they can be used as a hearing aid, its the fact that they are also great for music, have great microphone, touch control, spatial audio, situational awareness, active noise cancellation, and so much more great stuff that hearing aids dont have

[OuterSpace--.]

Texting really helps the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Adults these days with communication. This would have been a great invention back in the days.

[theothernodude]

It's great to see technology like this shake up the insanely expensive medical industry. Just like when smart watches started having heart rate sensors and EKG monitors, this will put a lot of pressure on the hearing aid industry and put them in a spot to lower their prices. this is certainly a welcoming addition. It's features like these that I expect other companies to adopt into their lineup.

Although this is not a TRUE hearing aid replacement - it's great to see that it is becoming a more affordable option for either new or existing AirPods users.

All around this is a win for everyone.

[oeao]

Won't kids now use them in class and just say "I'm deaf" 😂😂😂 I had a teacher in high school who told a deaf kid "be quiet" ...umm he's deaf 💀💀💀

[imjoe]

Hands down Samsung will copy this feature, after they made a knock Version of the air pods.

[JustAPersonWhoComments]

Now that the FDA approves, I'm going to see a lot of elderly people using it as hearing aids

[dalerthanever]

i have hearing loss and would love for this to work.. unfortunately, airpods battery life life is just not good enough to be used as a hearing aid

[sepa]

I really hope this rolls out soon! I have mild hearing loss in my right ear due to a condition I was born with, and this would help a ton!

[hxxgni]

probably the most interesting thing they showed at the press conference

[abhishekbhattacharya]

It’s available in only USA or worldwide.

[BewhOYouWaNtToBe]

Very good update and could well Apple a few more AirPods potentially as it’s cheaper than hearing aids, not like they need the money. when will this update be released?

[plaidninja]

I’m one of those people who are allergic to AirPods..hopefully they fixed the problems with the new AirPods

[UsualSuspect]

Huge for the smart phone industry including Apple, Samsung and many other manufacturers only a matter of time before sleep apnea is also approve

[jasfx]

AirPods Pro 2 are genuinely Apple’s best AirPods ever, they are incredible in all areas good sound quality, amazing durability and build, incredible noise cancellation when you hear for try first time mind blowing how such small piece of tech can do that and one amongst the important battery life 6 hours but you don’t even have to worry about it in just 20 minutes from 0% to 70% they charge incredible! 10/10 recommended

[danteB]

AirPods are intrusive. It allows me to hear public conversations I wouldn’t normally hear.

[inyourdreams]

Been using this as hearing aid long before they introduced this. I can hear better with all mics from airpods than my actual hearing without airpods. It’s amazing that they finally added this feature

[oeao]

How much do hearing aids cost at the doctor?

[AroonYousufi]

The only good thing from the last week's launch ...