Apple has shared details about its groundbreaking end-to-end hearing health experience, launched for the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2 in September. This initiative aims to support users in managing their hearing health effectively.
Advanced Audio Lab
Apple’s Audio Lab, located in Cupertino, California, plays a crucial role in the development of acoustic technologies. It features specialized listening rooms and anechoic chambers that help engineers conduct user studies and test new features while isolating external sounds.
The lab focuses on the design, measurement, tuning, and validation of all products with audio capabilities, enabling collaboration across teams to enhance the hearing health features of AirPods Pro 2.
Key Features of the Hearing Health Experience
The end-to-end hearing health experience is available today as a free software update. It includes:
- Hearing Protection: Minimizes exposure to loud environmental noise.
- Hearing Test: Allows users to track their hearing from home.
- Hearing Aid Functionality: Provides support for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, utilizing AirPods Pro as a clinical-grade hearing aid.
According to the World Health Organization, about 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing loss. Dr. Shelly Chadha emphasizes the need for technology to raise awareness and provide intervention options for those affected.
Personalized Hearing Solutions
Apple’s Dr. Sumbul Desai states that everyone’s hearing is unique, which is why the company developed an adaptable hearing health experience. The goal was to create intuitive features that feel like an extension of the user’s senses. This innovation aims to democratize access to hearing health solutions for a diverse population.
Acoustics Engineering Breakthroughs
Engineers utilized the Audio Lab’s specialized spaces to create these innovative features. The Longwave anechoic chamber, isolated from external noise and vibrations, measures how sound interacts with the human body using custom-built loudspeakers and microphone arrays. This understanding is vital for creating a realistic audio experience.
Kuba Mazur, Apple’s hearing health lead engineer, explains that the lab simulates various sound environments to ensure accurate audio representation.
The Fantasia Lab, equipped with 50 loudspeakers, recreates real-world sound scenes for fine-tuning the Hearing Aid feature. Participants undergo tests in controlled settings to validate the effectiveness of these features.
Clinical Testing and Design Focus
The Audio Lab also houses three clinical-grade audiometric booths for thorough testing. The engineering team collaborates with audiologists to conduct numerous audiometry tests before introducing the Hearing Test feature for clinical validation.
Design plays a pivotal role in user experience. Heather Daniel from Apple’s Design Studio notes the importance of simplicity, especially for first-time users. The team aimed to streamline the Hearing Test process, making it more accessible than traditional methods.
Collaborative Innovation
Building this advanced hearing health experience required extensive teamwork across various departments, including hardware and software engineering, health, accessibility, and clinical operations. The collaborative effort ensured the delivery of a high-quality product.
A Commitment to Health
The new hearing health experience on AirPods Pro 2 reflects Apple’s dedication to supporting users on their health journeys. According to Mazur, the features empower individuals to protect their hearing and gain valuable insights into their hearing health, positioning AirPods as a vital tool for personal wellness.