Approval granted for Apple Watch sleep apnea function
In a groundbreaking development, Apple's latest technology is making strides in healthcare with the introduction of innovative features on the AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Watch. These advancements, now available in Taiwan, are set to redefine the consumer tech industry's role in health monitoring.
The AirPods Pro 2 has introduced a hearing test feature, approved as a medical device by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This cutting-edge technology works by delivering tones at different frequencies and sound levels to each ear, similar to a professional audiologist's test. Users take the test by connecting their AirPods Pro 2 to an iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 18.1 or later, then tapping the device's display whenever they hear a tone. The test covers four frequencies: 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, and 4kHz. Based on the user's responses, the device determines the user's hearing thresholds measured in decibels hearing level (dBHL).
The hearing data gathered can activate a clinical-grade hearing aid mode, which personalizes and boosts frequencies that the user lacks. This personalized sound adjustment is applied automatically to environmental sounds, music, videos, and phone calls, offering a convenient, integrated hearing solution in a consumer device.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch has launched a sleep apnea detection feature. Over 400,000 people in Taiwan are estimated to suffer from sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. The sleep apnea detection function uses the device's accelerometer to monitor tiny movements in the wrist. The feature analyses 30-minute records of these movements to detect disturbances that could indicate sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can potentially trigger strokes, dementia, heart attacks, and myocardial infarction, making early detection crucial. Apple Watch users can detect sleep apnea by wearing the watch for several consecutive nights. Over 150 nations and regions around the world have gained access to this life-changing feature.
In another exciting development, YouTube is launching a Premium Lite membership in Taiwan as part of a trial rollout. This membership, retailing at NT$119 per month, offers ad-free viewing of most YouTube and YouTube Kids videos across multiple devices. However, ads could still appear on music content, Shorts, and when searching or browsing. It's important to note that the Premium Lite membership does not offer premium features like offline mode or background play.
The AirPods Pro 2's hearing aid functionality is available for users with mild or moderate hearing loss, offering a significant improvement in their daily audio experiences. The hearing aid on AirPods Pro 2 can clinically identify degrees of hearing loss from mild to profound and tailors audio output to compensate for those hearing deficits.
These advancements further solidify Apple's commitment to integrating health and wellness features into its consumer products, offering users a more holistic tech experience. The hearing aid on AirPods Pro 2 and the sleep apnea detection feature on Apple Watch are set to make a profound impact on the lives of many, offering convenience, accessibility, and peace of mind.
The AirPods Pro 2's hearing aid functionality, clinically identifying degrees of hearing loss and tailoring audio output, serves as an innovative solution for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, enhancing their daily audio experiences. Meanwhile, the sleep apnea detection feature on Apple Watch, analyzing wrist movements to identify potential sleep apnea, could be instrumental in detecting this serious sleep disorder early, thereby reducing the risk of stroke, dementia, heart attacks, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, technology in health and wellness continues to evolve, as seen with this hearing aid feature on the AirPods Pro 2 and sleep apnea detection on the Apple Watch, promising a more integrated and holistic approach to wellness through consumer gadgets and medical-conditions monitoring.
