Mikey Campbell
Apple intends to deliver its Live Listen accessibility function, currently used to stream live audio from iPhone's microphone to compatible hearing aids, to AirPods wireless headphones with the launch of iOS 12 later this year.
Debuted in 2016 as part of Apple's Made for iPhone program, Live Listen is a Bluetooth-based solution that grants supported hearing aids streaming access to an iPhone's microphone. With Live Listen, users can place their iPhone near a subject or sound source to home in on target audio, boosting fidelity in noisy environments.
With iOS 12, Apple is bringing the assistive hearing technology to its AirPods product.
Enabled in iPhone settings under Accessibility, Live Listen for AirPods functions in much the same way as it does for hearing aids, with iPhone acting as a directional microphone for audio pickup and transmission. An assortment of audio filtering resets allow users to tune their listening experience, from a busy restaurant to the outdoors.
For example, users at a busy restaurant can set their iPhone down on the table, select "Restaurant" from the preset menu and stream relatively noise-free audio directly to their AirPods. Alternatively, an iPhone might be placed in front of a television set across the room, allowing those with hearing difficulties to listen in on their favorite shows at normal volumes.
In yet another example provided by Apple, users can hand their iPhone to another person to better hear what they are saying.
AirPods is not expected to replace dedicated hearing aid equipment, but the ability to enhance audio fidelity while cutting down on ambient noise is a boon for users with hearing impairments.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
19 Comments
I wonder what effect this feature has on battery life.
I have a lot of trouble filtering out background noise, so this could be quite useful for me, if it isn’t awkward to put my iPhone where it can pick up what people are saying.
Of course, it may be I actually need hearing aids.
Live listening seems to be a replacement of the FM device which streams the teacher’s voice to the student’s hearing aid. But the Apple EarPods is not meant to replace the hearing aid.
Those people who have hearing loss at severe / moderate levels will be reluctant to use Apple EarPods. A perfect way now available is to use Bluetooth bone conduction earphones (eg AfterShokz) and hearing aids on one/both ears and leave the ear canals open. I don’t see using any in-ear earphone (s.a. Apple EarPods) works better.
I suggested this to Apple a while back on the feedback page. I have no illusions that they heard me, but perhaps there were many others who spoke up. I am in that narrow band between needing some help in certain situations, and not needing a full time hearing aid. Loud restaurants are the best use case for me. Can’t wait for iOS 12 so I can make use of this feature! Thanks, Apple.