Forget about flying cars: The most exciting upcoming trend in personal technology may be centered around health.

At the iPhone event in September, the announcements creating a buzz weren’t just about new phones but rather the health-related upgrades introduced for the latest AirPods Pro and Apple Watch.

Apple rolled out features aimed at hearing health, such as hearing assessments and personalized hearing profiles, as well as improved hearing protection in the AirPods Pro 2, which can also function as over-the-counter hearing aids.

Just after these announcements, the Food and Drug Administration approved “the first over-the-counter hearing aid software device, Hearing Aid Feature, designed for use with compatible versions of the Apple AirPods Pro.”

For the Apple Watch, new sleep apnea notifications will be added, along with the capability to monitor breathing patterns. Sleep apnea can disrupt rest and negatively impact an individual’s mental and physical health as it involves temporary pauses in breathing during sleep.

But what do these updates mean for everyday users, and how do they integrate into our current healthcare system?

“Apple has long been at the forefront of accessibility,” stated Andy Miller, senior vice president of innovation and product development at AARP AgeTech Collaborative, which aims to create tech solutions for older adults. “There are numerous features on the iPhone that many users may not even realize exist. This is a natural progression of that.”

Simplifying Hearing Tests

One key aspect of the hearing-focused features Apple unveiled is that they motivate users to pay more attention to their hearing, explained Terry Zwolan, an audiologist and director of audiology access and standard of care at Cochlear Americas, a prominent provider of implantable hearing solutions.

The hearing-related updates can assist those already aware of their mild to moderate hearing loss seeking cost-effective hearing aid alternatives, while also providing access to individuals who may be unaware they’re losing their hearing, allowing them to self-assess and gain information relevant to their health.

“One issue with hearing loss is that it’s not visible, and you often don’t notice it happening,” Zwolan remarked. “It highlights the importance of looking after your hearing.”

Making the process user-friendly and self-administered is definitely a positive change.

“I believe it will significantly enhance the entire hearing industry for users,” Miller noted. “There hasn’t been much innovation in this area.”

Zwolan advised that consumers should check their hearing at least once each year.

“The important thing is to monitor hearing changes over time, because if it worsens beyond what can be managed by over-the-counter options, further steps will be necessary,” he added.

Connecting Healthcare Professionals with iPhone Users

While excessive headphone use is generally linked to hearing damage, this mainly results from sound levels and loudness.

Without audio limiters present on headphones or earbuds, users risk incurring long-term hearing damage, Zwolan explained. Many smartphones incorporate features like volume limiters and alerts for loud sound exposure.

“It’s not something that people are usually aware of,” Zwolan continued. “It’s common to underestimate the impact of loud sounds. There’s a need for technology to notify users if they’re exposed to potentially harmful noise for too long.”

The new features foster improved dialogue between users and healthcare providers.

“What excites me about this new technology is that you can take an audiogram from a hearing specialist and upload it into your iPhone, or utilize your self-assessment and share it with your medical records,” noted Zwolan.

An audiogram is a visual representation of the outcomes from a hearing test that helps health professionals assess a patient’s hearing sensitivity and identify any hearing loss.

As the aging population faces increasing health challenges, it becomes vital for technology companies to innovate in health-related personal devices.

“It’s a widespread misconception that older adults don’t use technology. In fact, they are highly engaged and represent one of the largest groups of early adopters in terms of spending,” Miller pointed out.

“Sleep is Extremely Important”

Raising awareness about hearing health and assisting individuals who need professional support is a significant achievement, according to Zwolan.

“The last thing we want is for people to take a hearing self-assessment and then do nothing about it,” Zwolan warned. “The main benefit of the self-test is to improve access and provide everyone with a means to understand their hearing status.”

Miller shared her enthusiasm about the new sleep apnea features in personal technology. “Sleep is incredibly crucial.”

Even though it’s not a brand new offering, Miller expressed a desire for further advancements in “contextual insights,” which would connect various health data points for a comprehensive understanding of overall health.

“When considering health, it’s not simply about ‘Let’s monitor your heartbeat’ or ‘Let’s keep track of your sleep.’

Miller emphasizes, “While that is significant, it’s crucial to integrate social interaction into the equation.”

A report from the U.S. surgeon general indicates that social isolation can impact health similarly to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Experiencing loneliness can lead to various health issues, including an elevated chance of depression, dementia, or cardiovascular diseases, and it can expedite the aging process of the body.

“We should aim to facilitate people’s adoption of the technology that enables them to lead fulfilling lives,” stated Miller.

(This article has been revised due to a prior mistake.)