Did you catch the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference this past week? With rumors going around about “Hearing Aid Mode,” I was eagerly awaiting the big reveal, watching the conference at home.
Apple didn’t disappoint; a slew of updates for iOS 18 were dropped, the star of the show being “Apple Intelligence,” promising iPhone users powerful AI in their pockets.
However, my one gripe? “Hearing Aid Mode” didn’t make an appearance. After all the speculation and typically accurate predictions, Hearing Aid Mode wasn’t even mentioned.
Apple introduced two new hearing-related features instead – impressive but not quite the overhaul that many people were expecting.
Voice Isolation Feature
This new feature is designed to minimize background noise, perfect for those who struggle to keep conversation clear in noisy environments. “Voice Isolation Feature” utilizes the active noise-cancellation capabilities of AirPods to cut out wind and ambient noise during calls, making them less frustrating and more intelligible.
Music Haptics
Aimed specifically at those who are hard of hearing, “Music Haptics” plays taps, textures, and refined vibrations alongside music audio so that listeners uniquely experience the music through both sound and tactile feedback.
The Missing Hearing Aid Mode
But what happened to the much-rumored Hearing Aid Mode? Several news outlets with a typically accurate track record of reporting Apple news were surprised to see that it didn’t show up. Maybe it’s not ready for the public eye just yet.
Like we said in our last article on the matter, Hearing Aid Mode was set to be best partnered with the launch of the third generation of Apple AirPods Pro in early 2025. We think that, perhaps, Apple is waiting to announce those before launching Hearing Aid Mode.
Alternatively, Apple could be planning to integrate more hearing aid functionalities, like the ones launched this year, 2019’s Live Listen, and 2021’s Conversation Boost, into their existing tools and features over time.
This would prove to be a huge game-changer for their user experience – something that innovative tech giant Apple is always looking to improve.
Hearing Health with Apple: Looking Forward
Including features like ECG monitoring, fall detection, and blood oxygen level measurements show Apple’s dedication to health and wellness technology; voice isolation and music haptics being introduced means that they’re continuing to make strides in accessibility and inclusivity.
Even if Hearing Aid Mode isn’t ready yet, we’re excited to see what moves Apple makes next in their exploration of helping their users with hearing impairments.
I, for one, am very excited to try the Voice Isolation Feature and Music Haptics! As soon as they’re available, I’ll be downloading them to put the new tools to the test, and I’ll be sure to update you on my experiences.
For questions about hearing care, or to talk to a member of our team about your unique hearing needs, please feel free to request a callback or find your closest clinic and contact us over the phone.