Apple’s new hearing aid feature in the AirPods Pro 2 just got Elon Musk’s approval. The billionaire entrepreneur who is all set to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) in US president-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet, has praised Apple’s affordable hearing aid solution, calling it “cool” in a viral post on X (formerly Twitter).
The innovative feature, highlighted in a beautiful family-oriented advertisement by Apple CEO Tim Cook, uses personalised sound profiles to help users hear important moments, effectively transforming the AirPods into assistive hearing devices— at significantly lower prices than traditional hearing aids.
Apple has found a way to use existing AirPods Pro 2 to help users create their own “hearing profile”, after a five-minute hearing test, and then using this data to amplify specific sounds and personalise audio to enhance conversations, phone calls, and media playback accordingly. The ease of use and the fact that anybody can do this at home free of cost is what makes this solution so magical.
Developed to address a growing hearing health problem, the software was a “multi-year, cross-team collaboration,” Apple says. It was first announced at the iPhone 16 launch event in September. With iOS 18, it was available as a free upgrade to users.
Musk’s comment has sparked widespread discussion among fans and critics alike—about the feature itself as well as the ad. Supporters have applauded Apple’s focus on inclusive design. Many users have noted the feature could democratise access to hearing assistance, otherwise tied to expensive medical devices.
However, it’s important to note that this feature is not yet available worldwide. Currently, users in India cannot access the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features. This is likely due to regulatory approvals and local market considerations.
“The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are regulated health features that require approval and will be offered after authorisation is received,” per the company’s support page.
Apple doubling down on health-focused innovations is commendable. With Musk’s endorsement, the conversation about integrating health tech into consumer devices has gained even more traction. Hopefully, Apple will expand the availability of this technology soon so that users in India and other regions can also benefit from this advancement.
