Future AirPods Could Monitor Body Temperature and Posture, and Work as a Hearing Aid

Apple is developing AirPods with health features, including body temperature and posture monitoring, and the ability to work as a hearing aid, according to The Wall Street Journal.

airpods pro black background
According to documents seen by The Wall Street Journal, prototypes of AirPods with temperature sensors for monitoring a wearer's core body temperature from inside the ear are being developed. The report noted that these in-ear temperature sensors could work in tandem with a temperature sensor in the Apple Watch Series 8.

The health-focused AirPods reportedly also use motion sensors to monitor a wearer's posture and alert them when they are slouching in an effort to improve posture.

Apple released its "Conversation Boost" feature for AirPods Pro last week, which boosts the volume and clarity of people directly in front of the wearer. It is not clear if the new hearing aid functions being explored by Apple are an extension of Conversation Boost or a wholly different hearing aid-specific feature. AirPods already feature, microphones, an amplifier, and a processor, providing the bedrock for hearing aid functionality.

AirPods may not be suitable as hearing aids for some sufferers of hearing loss since they do not have an all-day battery life, but the report noted that an expansion of FDA regulations for a new class of hearing aids, targeting mild to moderate hearing moss, that is expected next year could pave the way for Apple to explicitly market AirPods as hearing aids.

AirPods have been rumored to feature health-monitoring functions for some time, even with Apple executives hinting at the possibility. While previous reports have only speculated on the health features that could theoretically come to AirPods, The ‌Wall Street Journal‌'s report is the first clarification of the specific features Apple is reportedly exploring.

Individuals said to be familiar with Apple's plans told the The ‌Wall Street Journal‌ that the AirPods with health features are not expected to launch in 2022, and may never be released.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

ProfessionalFan Avatar
52 months ago
My posture sucks, so is it going to buzz in my ear constantly or something?

Maybe a Tim Cook VoiceOver saying "You're sitting wrong"?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
52 months ago

In like 45 years from now.
Tired of super behind Apple products.
Apple prefers to do stuff best, rather than first.

I like that.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnmarki Avatar
52 months ago


Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FloridaScrubJay Avatar
52 months ago
‘…targeting mild to moderate hearing moss,…”

Well, if there moss in the ears, hearing is going to suffer. Doubt AirPods will help much with that. ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DelayedGratificationGene Avatar
52 months ago
Vintage Apple…just when the whole world is speculating and guessing how Apple is going to get Apple Watch to take your temperature they go and throw it in the Airpods…classic amazing Apple
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarpalMac Avatar
52 months ago

Apple prefers to do stuff best, rather than first.

I like that.
I am on to my fourth Airpod Pro replacement. How's their software releases going to?

The "It just works" and "Best rather than first" mantra is as played out as the doomed comments.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)