The earbuds carry many of the same qualities previous models do, including active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and up to 30 hours of battery life, but now it can function as a hearing aid.

If you're in the market for hearing aids, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are now FDA-authorized OTC hearing devices, and they're much less expensive than most other similar OTC devices.

Apple has secured the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) first-ever approval for Bluetooth earbuds to be sold as over-the-counter hearing aids. Beginning this fall, AirPods Pro 2 users with hearing loss can leverage companion software to adaptively amplify sounds from their environment in real time.

Mashable was on the ground for the "Glowtime" Apple Event in Cupertino, so I had a chance to demo the new hearing test feature on the AirPods Pro 2. Hearing Test on AirPods Pro 2:

During its glossy product announcement event on Tuesday, Apple unveiled a new role for its latest AirPods Pro model: medical device. The company said the wireless headphones will double as clinical-grade over-the-counter hearing aids for those who need them.

Apple says that AirPods PRo 2, its latest flagship wireless earbuds, can be used as 'clinical-grade hearing aids' -- pending FDA approval.

Behind-the-ear hearing aids can range from $1,000 to $6,000, while the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are priced at just $249.89. That's a massive difference, and the AirPods even deliver similar results, as noted by the FDA. This is fantastic news for people with hearing issues, as they can now get effective assistance without breaking the bank.

The iOS18 firmware update adds voice isolation and personalized volume, plus you can now tell Siri yes or no without uttering a sound.

Timmy Broderick, disability in health care reporting fellow at STAT, joins us to discuss how Apple's AirPods Pro will double as hearing aids after a software update. Audiologists say the earbuds could help millions with mild to moderate hearing loss.