Sarah Herrlinger Talks AirPods Pro Hearing Aid

Apple’s Latest Holiday Ad Focuses on AirPods Pro and the New Hearing Aid Feature

The Power of Hearing Aid Technology

Before leaving for my family get-together on Thanksgiving, I posted an item about Apple’s annual holiday ad. Called Heartstrings, the new spot centers on a family celebrating Christmas morning and the father using the hearing aid feature on AirPods Pro to better hear his daughter serenade him with her acoustic guitar. The poignancy meter is off the charts as it shows Apple at its absolute best. Of course, the company surely hopes people are pushed to buy AirPods Pro, but the more salient point is that the earbuds have far greater resonance than merely being passive listening devices for music and podcasts.

A New Era of Hearing Aids

Thanks to the FDA and the commensurate iOS 18.1 software update released in late October, AirPods Pro have the ability to act as bonafide over-the-counter hearing aids for people who are dealing with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Apple’s Commitment to Accessibility

In a recent interview, Apple’s senior director of global accessibility policy and initiatives, Sarah Herrlinger, explained that the hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro is yet one more manifestation of the company’s "longstanding commitment" to the disability community vis-a-vis accessibility. She said there are 1.5 billion people worldwide coping with hearing loss, the severity of which is mostly on the mild-to-moderate side. Herrlinger added that Apple’s hearing study revealed 75% of people coping with hearing loss "do not get the assistive support they need."

The Hearing Aid Feature in Action

The hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro is designed to work "seamlessly" with the earbuds, which are "the best-selling headphones in the world" – the ones people reach for most often to listen to their favorite media. Apple figured why not combine their ubiquity with their "powerful foundation of the acoustic technology," along with the company’s institutional ethos on prioritizing accessibility and ever-burgeoning ambitions in healthcare, to "do something about the huge issue" around untreated hearing loss.

Designing for Accessibility

Herrlinger explained that Apple incorporates accessibility into "everything we do" because disability is part and parcel of the human experience. The company truly wants everyone to be able to use its products, she told me, adding it’s part of Apple’s mission to make technology that’s customizable so as to reflect the diverse needs of people.

The Future of Hearing Aid Technology

When asked about feedback, Herrlinger told me Apple "loves" hearing from its customers. The hearing aid function in AirPods Pro has been "no exception" in the weeks since iOS 18.1 dropped, the company has heard from users who have shared stories about how the functionality has "had an impact for a friend, family member, or in their own life."

Conclusion

Apple’s commitment to accessibility is evident in its latest holiday ad, which highlights the new hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro. The company’s dedication to making its products accessible to everyone is a testament to its mission to empower people to "live out their dreams."

FAQs

• What is the hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro?
  The hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro is a new function that allows users to use their AirPods as hearing aids.
• How does it work?
  The hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro uses advanced audio technology to help improve hearing by amplifying sound and reducing background noise.
• Is it available in all countries?
  The hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro is available in over 100 countries and regions around the world.
• How does Apple approach design for accessibility?
  Apple incorporates accessibility into "everything we do" because disability is part and parcel of the human experience. The company truly wants everyone to be able to use its products, and it’s part of Apple’s mission to make technology that’s customizable so as to reflect the diverse needs of people.