Could Apple be making a hearing aid?
What could Apple’s entry onto the hearing aid market mean for the future of hearing aid technology?

Is there an Apple hearing aid?
At time of writing, Apple do not currently offer a hearing aid product, however, rumours about Apple’s potential entry into the hearing aid (or hearing assistance) market have been circulating for many years.
In 2018, it was reported that Apple had been working on a ‘health project’ related to hearing aids and hearing health. Since then, various patents and job postings have fuelled speculation about Apple’s plans.
For example, Apple has filed patents for hearing aid-related technologies, such as beamforming microphones and biometric sensors. Additionally, job postings for audio engineers and audiologists indicate that Apple is actively hiring experts in the field of hearing health.
While Apple has yet to make any official announcements, these rumours might suggest that they are indeed working on the launch of an Apple hearing aid product in the near future.
Watch Adam Bostock, Alto’s senior audiologist, explain the potential benefits and challenges of Apple’s entry onto the hearing aid market.
Apple’s entry onto the hearing aid market
In recent years, Apple has become synonymous with innovation, revolutionising the tech industry with ground breaking products like the iPhone and AirPods. But what if I told you that Apple’s next venture could be in the realm of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids?
With an aging population and an increasing number of individuals experiencing hearing loss, the potential market for hearing aids is growing rapidly. Apple, known for its sleek designs and user-friendly interfaces, could be the perfect candidate to disrupt and modernise the hearing aid industry.
By combining their expertise in technology with their commitment to accessibility, Apple could create a game-changing product that not only helps individuals with hearing loss, but also seamlessly integrates into their digital lifestyle.
In this article, I explore the potential benefits and challenges of Apple’s entry onto the hearing aid market, and what it could mean for the future of hearing technology.
What features do Apple currently offer to support hearing loss?
Although Apple don’t currently offer a hearing aid product per se, accessibility has always been a core value for Apple. Their products are designed with a wide range of users in mind, including those who experience disabilities, such as hearing loss.
The following existing hearing accessibility features demonstrate Apple’s commitment to making technology more inclusive to those who experience hearing loss:
1. Apple VoiceOver:
VoiceOver is a robust screen-reading tool available across Apple’s product line. VoiceOver converts textual and user interface (UI) components into spoken words or even braille. This is more than just convenient, it can be a game-changer for people who experience hearing loss.
2. Apple Live Listen:
Live Listen allows you to think of your iPhone or iPad as a remote microphone, sending sounds straight to your AirPods or Made for iPhone hearing aids. It’s like having an extra set of ears, especially useful in noisy settings, or when you’re a bit removed from the sound source.
3. Apple Sound Recognition:
Sound Recognition is exclusive to iOS 14 and later. This feature does the listening for you, alerting you to specific sounds like a doorbell or siren. For those with hearing challenges, it’s another layer of environmental awareness.
Can you use Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid?
A question I get often is whether Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 can replace hearing aids. While the AirPods do offer some intriguing features (Live Listen, for instance) they’re not designed to be a substitute for medical-grade hearing aids.
AirPods lack the highly specialised features that you would expect from a dedicated hearing aid, such as tailored sound processing algorithms, directional microphones, and feedback suppression.
They also don’t have the battery life suited to all day wear. Prescription hearing aids are custom-fitted, offering not just superior sound, tailored for an individual’s unique hearing loss, but also a comfortable, secure fit for all-day wear.
Could Apple remove the stigma from wearing hearing aids?
Hearing loss can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life. It can lead to social isolation, communication difficulties, and decreased cognitive function. Hearing aids are currently the most common form of treatment for hearing loss, yet wearing a hearing aid is often stigmatised meaning that, sadly, they are massively underutilised.
It is expected that Apple’s entry onto the hearing aid market, and their focus on design and user experience, could help reduce the stigma associated with traditional hearing aids. By creating a stylish and modern device, Apple could make wearing a hearing aid more socially acceptable, across age groups.
Further, Apple’s expertise in integrating hardware and software with user-friendly design, could result in a hearing aid that not only provides superior sound quality but also seamlessly integrates with the user’s existing ecosystem of devices and services, such as iPhones and iPads. This could enable users to easily control their hearing aid settings, stream audio content, and even receive notifications directly to their hearing aids, increasing the functional utility of their device beyond hearing assistance.
Apple’s commitment to accessible design means that any hearing aid offering is likely to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals, including older adults, who are already used to their devices. Thereby, Apple could help remove some of the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help for their hearing loss. This could have a significant impact on the lives of millions of people around the world, allowing them to stay connected, engaged, and active participants in society.
How much might an Apple hearing aid cost?
While Apple’s potential entry into the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid market holds great promise, one of the main challenges is ensuring that the hearing aid meets the specific needs of individuals who experience hearing loss, whilst maintaining affordability.
Hearing loss is a complex and diverse condition, and developing a one-size-fits-all solution can be challenging, as seen with other OTC hearing aids.
OTC aids are generally designed for mass appeal rather than individual customisation. Apple is synonymous with premium products, but OTC hearing aids are usually more budget-friendly. How Apple balances these factors will certainly be intriguing and could define their success in this emerging market.
The relatively high cost of personalised hearing aids has been a barrier to access for many individuals. Further, Apple’s reputation for high quality, style, and innovation comes with a price tag. Apple products typically cost much more than those from its competitors, and they may need to consider the affordability of their product and explore options for insurance coverage or government subsidies when entering this market.
Could Apple hearing aids raise questions about privacy & data security?
As with any ‘connected’ device, there is a risk of data breaches and unauthorised access to personal information.
It’s worth noting that Apple already manages sensitive health data through its Health app and other health-focused initiatives. But a hearing aid would mean Apple is handling real-time health monitoring in a way they haven’t before.
Apple has a reputation for using robust data encryption and maintaining privacy and, unlike some other companies, Apple does not share personal data with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
Yet, while Apple has a strong track record with data privacy and security, this new venture comes with its own set of unique challenges and responsibilities. Given the specific application in hearing aids, Apple will be under the microscope to ensure that data privacy standards are rigorously upheld.
Could Apple drive hearing aid innovation & competition?
The hearing aid, or hearing assistance, industry is rapidly growing, driven by the increasing prevalence of hearing loss and an aging population. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 5% of the world’s population, or 466 million people, experience a disabling hearing loss. This number is expected to grow to over 900 million by 2050.
Despite this growing demand, the market for hearing aids has traditionally been dominated by a few key players, with, what could be argued as, limited innovation and high prices compared to other areas of technology. This has created an opportunity for tech companies, like Apple, to disrupt the market and introduce innovative solutions that address the needs of individuals with hearing loss.
While Apple has the potential to disrupt the hearing aid market, they will not be without competition. In recent years, traditional hearing aid manufacturers, such as Phonak, Widex, and ReSound, have been investing in research and development to improve their products and services.
These companies have established relationships with hearing healthcare professionals and a deep understanding of the needs of individuals who experience hearing loss. Additionally, tech companies like Google and Samsung have also shown interest in the hearing aid market. Google, for example, has developed an open-source platform called ‘Sound Amplifier’ that turns Android devices into personal hearing amplifiers.
Although these competitors will pose a challenge to Apple, their potential entry onto the hearing aid market could also stimulate innovation and drive down prices, ultimately benefiting individuals who experience hearing loss.
Our conclusions on the potential for an Apple hearing aid
Apple’s potential entry onto the hearing aid market could have a profound impact on the industry. With their history of innovation, design expertise, and commitment to accessibility, Apple has the potential to create a game-changing hearing aid product that not only helps individuals with hearing loss but also seamlessly integrates into their digital lifestyle.
The potential benefits of Apple’s entry onto the market include reducing the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, improving accessibility and user experience, and driving innovation and competition. However, there are also challenges and concerns that Apple will need to address. These concerns relate to meeting the diverse needs of individuals who experience hearing loss, ensuring affordability, and prioritising hearing aid user privacy.
In any case, Apple’s likely foray onto the hearing aid market is an exciting development that could create a truly innovative and accessible hearing aid product, revolutionising the way we perceive and treat hearing loss.
Article by Adam Bostock
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