Within the framework of its annual conference Apple released a new feature for its AirPods Pro 2 earphones during September 2022. The new feature aims to make wireless headphones evolve into voice assistant devices which operate easily with iPhone models and everyday use.
One of the concealed business objectives exists within many of Apple's various product lines as indicated by this feature. After the Apple Watch launch Apple focused its product marketing on user health while becoming the central force that monitors and improves health opportunities for individuals seeking medical assistance.
The AirPods Pro 2 faces significant challenges in becoming a major health monitoring product because of the integrated system of sensors and how essential voice assistants are to their users. Does the company hold potential to convert the AirPods Pro 2 into performing as effective voice assistant devices?
Voice assistants that do not require a doctor
In recent years, a new trend has emerged in the world of voice assistant devices, which are devices that can be purchased and used without the need to visit the companies designated for this purpose and consequently a doctor or technician specialized in them, which is the opposite of what used to happen in the past, when the afflicted person had to go to companies or doctors in order to obtain a device designated for his condition or even purchase a regular voice assistant device in addition to maintaining and preserving the devices.
Over-the-counter hearing aids exist to help potential users navigate hearing aid availability issues while serving areas with limited expert medical hearing aid services. The decision by Apple to enter this market several months ago followed many other businesses including speaker and headphone manufacturer Jabra alongside HP together with Sennheiser and Sony and other companies that are specialized in this sector.
The rising popularity of these hearing aids since last year has made them a common treatment for patients who wish to avoid medical assistance.
Over-the-counter hearing aids provide satisfactory benefits for people with milder or moderate hearing impairment problems although advanced hearing devices must be used specifically for serious hearing loss cases.
high barrier to entry
The concept of designing and marketing items at Apple stands in opposition to medical and assistive tool privacy for persons with disabilities because Apple maintains elevated requirements for device access before offering feature restrictions to individuals not within its framework. Medical devices should never be handled in this fashion regardless of their severity.
Even though combining the cost of AirPods Pro 2 and iPhone 16 falls below the price of many over-the-counter hearing aids, users without an iPhone or previous-generation AirPods cannot access the hearing aid features. This pricing structure prevents many people from using the product as a hearing aid.
The main drawback of using AirPods Pro 2 in this field emerges from its short operating time that requires frequent recharging. Most hearing aids function until they reach a lifespan of up to years before battery charging but the AirPods Pro 2 requires frequent charging during several hours of use because of its short battery life therefore it proves unsuitable for modern daily use.
More practical features
Even though AirPods Pro 2 does not work as dependable hearing aids for all-day use its other features meet the necessary requirements. The AirPods Pro 2 provides a positive solution to hearing-challenged individuals who have difficulty enjoying movies and music.
This device functions properly with its hearing enhancement mode to let users hear audio content without bothering others outside or beside them which proves crucial for many users.
The direct hearing test stands as the key distinctive characteristic of this hearing aid since users can perform this examination within the device to monitor ear health while the hearing aid offers better diagnostic accuracy than traditional medical tests. While the test demonstrates high accuracy it serves as a single diagnostic method so people need specialized professional tests to confirm their medical condition correctly.
The AirPods Pro 2 eliminates any stigma concerning its users because it functions as normal headphones so a clarification could resolve restrictions and allow people to use them conveniently during any time and setting.
What methods should I use to enhance the voice assist capabilities of AirPods Pro 2?
To achieve easy headphone dependence as an alternative to hearing aids Apple needs several development steps starting with offering this feature to all device versions and iPhone-less users.
The company should provide AirPods Pro models that have extended battery capacity to eliminate anxiousness about battery exhaustion during daily usage.
Apple has taken a positive move forward to reduce negative perceptions connected to hearing devices and other audio accessories.
