FDA Approves AirPods with Hearing Aid Features

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval to software that enables Apple AirPods Pro 2 (along with other compatible AirPod devices) to function as hearing aids when paired with an iOS 18-compatible iPhone or iPad. A quick Google search reveals that the average price for adult hearing aids is between $2,000 and $4,000, whereas AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249. Due to pricing and accessibility, the FDA’s recent approval may very well revolutionize the hearing aid market. According to representatives from Apple, the software is slated to roll out next month.

Hearing Loss in America: The Numbers and Effects

According to data from the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), hearing loss has been shown to negatively impact nearly every facet of the human experience. This includes a person’s physical health, mental and emotional health, social skills, how others perceive their mental acuity and abilities, family relationships, self-esteem, school performance, and work performance. Most individuals who experience hearing loss wait an average of seven years before seeking help for their condition.

As people age, they start to lose their hearing; it is a normal part of life. This gradual loss is the result of a slow but chronic degradation of the inner ear area and auditory nerves. However, many other things – things that are possible to avoid – cause hearing loss, too. Here are some examples:

• Noise exposure to excessively loud noises, especially in the workplace
• Trauma to the head or ear area
• Inadequate blood flow to the inner ear
• Some medications are ototoxic, meaning they can cause damage to the ear. Examples of ototoxic medications include aspirin, when taken in extremely large doses, diuretics, certain antibiotics, and chemotherapy. 

Current estimates suggest that 50 million Americans experience tinnitus, or a ringing in their ears; 48 million have some degree of hearing loss. Even though individuals with hearing loss are protected under the ADA or the Americans with Disabilities Act, about 22 million Americans continue to be exposed to hazardous levels of noise in their workplaces.

Job-Related Hearing Loss

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses. Once a person begins to develop early hearing loss, there is no form of medical intervention that can fully restore it. But the good news is, hearing loss can nearly always be prevented before it begins.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has several health and safety standards in place to limit dangerous noise exposure. Here are some examples of the agency’s standards: 

• Replace or modify all excessively loud equipment and/or machinery
• Limit how much time workers spend around noise
• Expand the space between workers and loud areas
• Maintain and lubricate machinery (e.g., oil bearings)
• Place barriers around employees or noise sources, like curtains or walls
• Enclose or isolate noise sources

Who Will Apple’s New Software Help?

Apple’s new HAF software, or its hearing aid feature, is expected to help approximately 30 million Americans who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss related to noise exposure, age, certain medical conditions, and various other factors. According to the company, the HAF application will feature a hearing test for users. The software will utilize the user’s results to customize tone, volume, and balance settings.

Individuals could only purchase hearing aids at a physician’s office until two years ago when the FDA first granted approval to regulations allowing for over-the-counter sales. With Apple’s new software on the horizon, hearing aid technologies are becoming increasingly accessible to people who may have otherwise struggled to access them previously.  

If you have experienced job-related hearing loss and are interested in filing a legal claim for damages, someone with our firm can help. To learn more, contact a representative online now. 

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

If you have questions about filing a claim for injuries you sustained, contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger, LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.