- Apple is reportedly working on health features for the 3rd-generation AirPods Pro, including a hearing test and temperature measurement.
- The hearing test feature could help detect hearing issues, similar to how the Apple Watch ECG app checks for heart problems.
- Apple is exploring how to position the AirPods as hearing aids, which could require FDA approval.
- Temperature sensors could catch the first signs of an infection or other illness.
Apple’s popular AirPods Pro earphones just got a minor hardware update, but the company is already planning for the 3rd-generation model. According to _Bloomberg’s_ Mark Gurman, the Pro model might offer two big health-tracking features, including a hearing test and a temperature measurement.
The hearing test feature would be similar to the Apple Watch ECG app, which monitors your heart rate. The test would play different tones and sounds to determine how well a person can hear, and would be able to detect any hearing issues. Apple is also exploring how to position the AirPods as hearing aids, which could require FDA approval.
The AirPods Pro could also measure temperature from the wearer’s ear canal. This data could be used to detect illnesses or infections early on. It’s unclear when these health features are coming to the AirPods Pro, and if the next-gen model will have them. However, Apple will be adding software capabilities to the current Pro model this year.