iOS 18 will potentially boast features that will make it one of the biggest updates the iPhone has ever received. Apple is gradually working on new AI features for the platform, which will mark a major milestone for the operating system. However, Apple's push does not end at AI, as it is working to bring a boatload of additional changes as well. We have now discovered that iOS 18 will also bring a new "hearing aid mode" for the AirPods Pro.
iOS 18 to bring new hearing aid feature for AirPods Pro later this year without hardware changes
We have recently discovered that Apple is working on a wide range of Accessibility features for iOS 18. Apple's aim is to make features more accessible to users, which will allow them to have better control over iOS. However, the company has not backed any step in introducing health-related features. That said, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg claims in his latest Power On newsletter that the AirPods Pro will get the new hearing-aid feature with iOS 18 later this year.
Gurman does not believe that the AirPods Pro will undergo any hardware changes this year. Instead, Apple will introduce new features with its big iOS release. The company already offers a Live Listen feature for the AirPods, which works in conjunction with the iPhone. The iPhone acts as a directional microphone that captures audio in the environment and transmits it to the AirPods in real time. While the feature is pretty useful, Apple wants to take it up a notch with the new hearing aid feature.
Apple's efforts to provide hearing ease also stretched to a Conversation Boost feature for the AirPods Pro. The feature enhanced the audio picked up from the mic for better hearing. Tests have shown that the feature offers the AirPods as a much better companion than dedicated devices, which cost more than the AirPods. Back in 2022, the FDA introduced new guidelines that will allow some hearing aids to be purchased over the counter without requiring a medical exam. iOS 18's new hearing aid features could follow the same guidelines later this year.
As mentioned, Apple is working on a wide range of AI tools for iOS 18, including editing tools. We have previously covered that the company is working on tools that will allow users to edit, manipulate, and animate still images using natural language prompts. The company is implementing the technology throughout the operating system, including Siri and Spotlight Search. We will share more details on iOS 18 and the new health and accessibility features it will bring to the table, so be sure to stick around for more details.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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