At Apple’s much-anticipated “Glowtime” event, the spotlight shone brightly on the tech giant’s AI platform, Apple Intelligence. However, nestled among the cutting-edge AI announcements were two equally significant health features—sleep apnea detection for the Apple Watch and a hearing aid function for the AirPods Pro 2. These new additions highlight Apple’s relentless drive to expand its footprint in the healthcare industry, a move that may prove just as pivotal for users as the company’s AI efforts.
The recent Apple event introduced several new health features, but the most significant announcement for me was the transformation of AirPods Pro into clinical hearing aids. This feature will be available this fall, pending FTC approval, through a simple software update. pic.twitter.com/PS6H6Dx62l
— Berci Meskó, MD, PhD (@Berci) September 10, 2024
Though these features are not yet available to the public, as they await regulatory approval from global health authorities like the FDA, Apple expects to release them within the next few weeks. With these offerings, the company continues its quest to become a major player in health tech—a goal CEO Tim Cook underscored back in 2019 when he predicted Apple’s greatest contribution to humanity would be in healthcare.
Apple’s latest health features are designed to address common but often overlooked issues. Sleep apnea, a condition that affects an estimated 1 billion people worldwide, frequently goes undiagnosed, leading to a host of health risks, including heart disease and diabetes. With Apple’s sleep apnea detection feature, the Apple Watch uses its built-in accelerometer to track micro-movements during sleep, alerting users to potential breathing disturbances. It’s important to note, however, that Apple stresses this feature is not intended to diagnose sleep apnea but rather to guide users toward further testing if necessary.
The company’s extensive testing yielded promising results, with Apple reporting that during trials involving 1,500 participants, the detection feature flagged signs of mild sleep apnea in two-thirds of confirmed cases. Sleep apnea detection requires users to wear their Apple Watch for at least 10 nights over a 30-day period, with the data being presented in the Health app under a new “breathing disturbances” tab.
Who else is watching the Apple Event? I’m watching and – so far so good. I’ll post about anything cool they announce.
They’re starting with Apple Watch. The new sleep apnea detection is a potential life saver for a lot of people. pic.twitter.com/hHSItmcfrJ
— Free (@KaladinFree) September 9, 2024
Meanwhile, Apple is also tackling another significant health issue—hearing loss. According to Apple’s research, 75% of those diagnosed with hearing loss aren’t getting the assistance they need. In response, the company introduced a hearing protection and aid feature for the AirPods Pro 2. This tool offers a quick five-minute hearing test, allowing users to determine if they have mild to moderate hearing loss.
The hearing aid function, available through a software update, is poised to serve as an over-the-counter solution for those with less severe hearing problems. For individuals with more significant hearing loss, traditional, specialized hearing aids will still be necessary. Nonetheless, this feature could prove to be an accessible alternative for many people around the world who may not even realize they need hearing assistance.
These health-centric features are not only a boon for users but also a strategic move by Apple to keep consumers loyal to its ecosystem. While competitors like Samsung already offer sleep apnea detection, Apple aims to position its products as indispensable health companions that users simply can’t live without.
The new Apple Watch can tell if you have sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation—conditions that millions of people suffer from worldwide—and can even tell women who are trying to conceive when they’ve ovulated. Pretty amazing. pic.twitter.com/wOSJpLQWFV
— Emily Dreibelbis (@electric_humans) September 9, 2024
As Apple continues to blur the lines between technology and healthcare, its products evolve from mere gadgets into vital tools for personal well-being. Whether it’s the Apple Watch alerting someone to potential sleep issues or the AirPods Pro 2 serving as an entry-level hearing aid, Apple’s devices are becoming deeply intertwined with the everyday lives—and health—of millions. With these new features on the horizon, it’s clear that Apple’s future isn’t just about tech—it’s about transforming healthcare for its users. The next few weeks will reveal just how much consumers embrace these innovations when the updates roll out.
Major Points:
- At its “Glowtime” event, Apple introduced two new health features—sleep apnea detection for the Apple Watch and a hearing aid function for the AirPods Pro 2—highlighting its deeper push into healthcare.
- The Apple Watch uses micro-movement tracking to detect potential sleep apnea, though it’s not meant to diagnose the condition. This feature will guide users to consult their doctors for further testing.
- AirPods Pro 2 will include a hearing aid feature that acts as an over-the-counter solution for mild to moderate hearing loss, along with a quick five-minute hearing test.
- Both features are pending approval from health authorities like the FDA and are expected to be available in the coming weeks.
- These health innovations are part of Apple’s strategy to retain users by making its devices indispensable for monitoring personal health, competing with similar offerings from brands like Samsung.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
