Apple Unveils New Health Features on its Latest Devices

The new features available focus on sleep apnea detection and comprehensive hearing health management, aiming to address conditions that affect millions worldwide.

Tech giant Apple has recently introduced significant health-focused updates to its product lineup.

The new features, available on the Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods Pro 2, focus on sleep apnea detection and comprehensive hearing health management, aiming to address conditions that affect millions worldwide.

Apple Watch Series 10 is available for pre-order now, with deliveries and in-store availability starting September 20, 2024. While AirPods Pro 2 is expected to be available this fall, with specific dates to be confirmed soon

Sleep Apnea Detection on Apple Watch

Apple has rolled out a sleep apnea detection feature on the Apple Watch Series 10 using a new Breathing Disturbances metric.

Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, affects over one billion people globally and often goes undiagnosed.

Reportedly, the Apple Watch will monitor users' breathing patterns during sleep and notify them if it detects signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.

The notifications, provided every 30 days, encourage users to consult with healthcare providers for further evaluation and possible treatment. This proactive approach aims to help users identify potential health risks early.

Moreover, Apple has developed this feature using advanced machine learning and data from clinical-grade sleep apnea tests. The algorithm has been validated in an extensive clinical study, confirming its effectiveness in detecting at least mild sleep apnea in all participants identified by the system.

Users can view their nightly breathing disturbances data in the Health app, categorized as "elevated" or "not elevated," and access this information over different time spans—one month, six months, or a year.

The Health app also offers educational content to help users understand more about sleep apnea, its causes, and its management.

Hearing Health Features on AirPods Pro 2

The tech giant has also unveiled new hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2, introducing a comprehensive solution that includes active Hearing Protection, a clinically validated Hearing Test, and an over-the-counter Hearing Aid mode.

The Hearing Test feature allows users to assess their hearing health directly through the AirPods Pro 2, with results securely stored in the Health app.

If hearing loss is detected, the device can automatically enable the Hearing Aid mode, providing an immediate solution without the need for a traditional hearing aid.

This approach is expected to receive marketing authorization from global health authorities soon, with availability planned in over 100 countries, including the US, Germany, and Japan, this fall.

Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, along with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 series will be available from September 20, 2024.