Apple AirPods Now Function Like Hearing Aids: How Technology is Improving the Lives of Millions.

According to Vox: As a person approaching middle age — 57 percent according to government statistics — I’ve noticed that some things don’t work as they used to. In particular, my hearing and vision.

My family can attest: my hearing isn’t what it was, and it’s not just that I sometimes hear selectively. As for my vision, I had laser correction in 2005, but the constant squinting when I read tells me my warranty has probably expired. I’m not alone — about 14 percent of Americans aged 45 to 64 suffer from some form of hearing loss, and over 90 percent of people over 45 have presbyopia, which means reduced ability to focus on close objects. According to WHO predictions, by 2050, around 2.5 billion people worldwide will have some form of hearing loss.

However, there’s good news for me and my peers (that’s all of us, after all). Our digital devices are increasingly being designed with features that can help users overcome age-related sensitivity changes and related disabilities. From Apple AirPods, which can now serve as low-cost hearing aids and even translate languages on the go, to the rising popularity of glucose monitors for diabetics, many consumer technology innovations aim to support our broken bodies.

Can You Hear Me?

A true breakthrough in consumer technology from “nice to have” to “health necessity” occurred last year: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first hearing aid that can be purchased over the counter. It’s a “hearing aid” feature that allows adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to use AirPods as hearing aids without a prescription. Since even over-the-counter hearing aids can cost from a few hundred to over $1000, a pair of AirPods Pro 2 for around $200 looks like a bargain. For more complex cases of hearing loss, it’s important to consult specialists, but FDA support reduces stigma and financial barriers for millions who can’t obtain clinical devices.

Those same AirPods can now converse in multiple languages. Apple’s Live Translation feature, part of the “Apple Intelligence” update, enables two-way translation via AirPods paired with an iPhone. In demos and early reviews, it demonstrated sufficient effectiveness for daily use, translating to English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with promises to add new languages. For those who have ever struggled to understand a medical form, navigate a parent-teacher meeting, or pick up a prescription in a foreign language — this isn’t just a fun moment at a party, it’s real social support.

Public spaces aren’t lagging behind either. Auracast — a Bluetooth audio broadcast standard — turns noisy, crowded public venues into accessible listening zones. Instead of borrowing headphones at the theater, you can connect to designated audio broadcasts with your own headphones or hearing aids. Google has integrated Auracast support into Android 16, and Pixel phones are already making 'join broadcast' as familiar as connecting to Wi-Fi. It’s dignity, not just decibels.

Vision

Our eyes, like our ears, are experiencing serious issues: at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have some form of vision impairment. Our reliance on digital devices only exacerbates the situation: studies show that an increase of just one hour of daily screen time is associated with a 21 percent higher chance of nearsightedness.

But if phones are partly to blame for some of our vision problems, they also come equipped with features that can help people with vision impairments navigate the world. The built-in Magnifier app on iPhone uses the camera to perform useful functions; Door Detection alerts about the distance to doors and how to open them; Point and Speak reads labels on buttons when you point your finger at them, deciphering often unintelligible kiosks. And while automatic translation requires a certain level of technology from the iPhone, these features are standard rather than additions.

On Android, the Google Lookout app has stepped beyond “what’s in this image?” to truly useful capabilities for visually impaired people. Image Q&A allows users to ask about details in images and receive spoken, helpful responses, with Google stating that these descriptions are now supported by new AI Gemini models. It provides daily autonomy: “Is this a blue shirt?” “What does the sign say?” “Where is the submit button?”

What’s My Number?

The transition from consumer technology to medical care is also noticeable in the chronic disease arena. Continuous glucose monitors — medical implants that track sugar levels — have been available to diabetics for some time now. But in 2024, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter external glucose monitor, Stelo from Dexcom, for adults who do not use insulin. A few months later, Abbott received approvals for two over-the-counter sensors: Libre Rio (for adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin) and Lingo (for those looking to improve their health).

No prescription needed; just a phone and a sensor. This simplifies glucose monitoring for 38 million Americans with diabetes — and an even larger group with prediabetes. Remember, data is not a diagnosis.

Assistive Living

These new technologies not only offer convenience — they can significantly improve quality of life. For instance, a study funded by the NIH showed that for older adults at risk of hearing loss, addressing it slowed cognitive decline over three years. This doesn’t make headphones a shield against dementia, but underscores the importance of removing barriers to hearing support. The same goes for diabetes, which requires continuous monitoring — any assistance in this area can enhance quality of life.

The progress is that people no longer need expensive specialized devices; they can receive the same benefits from enhanced, affordable means they already possess. For those with hearing, vision, or diabetes control issues — or simply for us aging individuals — this reboot opens up new possibilities with less effort.

Now if only someone could develop an implant that instantly finds the TV remote.

A version of this story originally appeared in the Good News newsletter. Sign up here!