Adam’s Journal
I saw a headline that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Apple AirPods as hearing aids. Seriously? Is this some sort of marketing ploy by Apple?
Dr. Scofield Prescribes
Your eyes did not deceive you. And while I understand your skepticism, this has the potential to be a major benefit for many people who might not otherwise have access to hearing aids.
Studies estimate that approximately 30 million Americans experience hearing loss. However, only a small fraction of them – about 20% – get help.
This is a big problem. Hearing loss has a profound effect on communication, social interaction, quality of life and health.
The loss of hearing can lead to isolation and depression. And in older people, who represent the lion’s share of those with hearing loss, research has also linked it to cognitive decline.
Up until two years ago, the only way a person could get hearing aids was with a prescription from a doctor. This represented a major hurdle, as many people were intimidated by or unable to navigate the process of seeing an audiologist for a hearing examination and fitting.
What’s more, that process is often not covered by insurance. Similarly, basic Medicare – which represents most older Americans’ health coverage – did not cover the cost of hearing aids.
As a result, the cost of obtaining prescription hearing aids was prohibitive. Even excluding the cost of doctors’ visits, the prices of prescription hearing aids typically run in the thousands of dollars.
Recognizing this problem, the FDA two years ago made a big change: The agency decided to allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter without a prescription.
As a result, consumers can now choose from a wide variety of lower-cost options. And with the FDA’s decision earlier this month, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 (current retail price: $249) will soon be among those options.
With a software update that will come free this fall, those Apple ear buds will office a “Hearing Aid” feature, which will amplify sounds for people with mild to moderate hearing impairments.
Although this feature is only intended for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, the hope is that it provides benefits to people who may need some situational hearing assistance.
It’s also worth noting that many people shy away from hearing aids because of the perceived stigma that comes with wearing them. In simple terms, there’s a fear that they’ll make you look “old.”
With the AirPods, that stigma does not exist. To the contrary, they’re often worn by younger people attempting to tune out the world. So, I think it’s a happy irony that they may ultimately help many others – old and young alike – do just the opposite.
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Adam Cohen is OMRF’s senior vice president and general counsel. Dr. Hal Scofield is a physician-scientist at OMRF, and he also serves as Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. Send your health questions to contact@omrf.org.
