'Apple Hearing Study' Insights Shared Ahead of World Hearing Day

[MacRumors]

Apple today shared key insights from its Apple Hearing Study to encourage others to better understand and manage their hearing health. The data comes from thousands of participants across the United States.

For example, Apple said 25 percent of participants experience a daily average environmental sound exposure like traffic, machinery, or public transportation that is higher than the WHO's recommended limit. In addition, Apple said nearly 50 percent of participants in the study now work, or have previously worked, in a loud workplace.

Other insights shared by Apple:

• Average weekly headphone exposure for one in 10 participants is higher than the WHO's recommended limit.
• About 10 percent of participants have been diagnosed with hearing loss by a professional. Of these, 75 percent do not use assistive support such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
• 20 percent of participants have hearing loss when compared to WHO standards, and 10 percent have hearing loss that is consistent with noise exposure.
• Nearly 50 percent of participants haven't had their hearing tested by a professional in at least 10 years.
• 25 percent of participants experience ringing in their ears a few times a week or more, which could be a sign of hearing damage.

Apple explains how its products can help protect a person's hearing. With the Noise app on the Apple Watch, for example, users can enable notifications that alert when environmental noise levels might affect their hearing health.

Apple is sharing these findings just ahead of World Hearing Day on March 3, which aims to address hearing loss and related issues. By 2050, the WHO estimates more than 700 million people globally will experience profound hearing loss, according to Apple.

The Apple Hearing Study, available through Apple's Research app, is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and data is being shared with the WHO's Make Listening Safe initiative.

Article Link: 'Apple Hearing Study' Insights Shared Ahead of World Hearing Day

 

[farewelwilliams]

Did Siri participate in the study?

 

[Jimmy James]

Apple’s work in health related topics meshes well with their privacy stance. There is some real innovation and meaningful quality of life improvements possible here. I know a guy who didn’t need to wear a daily holster monitor for cardiac monitoring because his doctor was ok with using Apple Watch data. That’s huge!

 

[Baff]

What??? Could you put that in all caps? I couldn't hear you!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The is a very good partnership with WHO. Pure innovation Apple.

 

[Localcelebrity]

I'm enrolled in the Heart & Movement Study, and I genuinely enjoy knowing that my data is going towards good research and not being data mined. I honestly wish there were more studies available.

 

[vicviper789]

It would be cool if they added resistance to the digital crown - I have accidentally sent the volume on my airpods to full when the crown rubs against my sleeves/gloves.

It would be cool if the direction of the volume sliders on the iPhone widget screen were different from the way you swipe. I have accidentally sent the volume on my airpods to full by trying to swipe to the home screen but 'grabbing' the volume bar instead...

 

[trhoffmann]

These studies were a prime reason for my purchase of an Apple Watch, as it is required for participation. Looking forward to the Biogen sponsored cognitive health study starting later this year. I would like to see even more studies. The data these studies can collect and analyze is astounding. The hearing study has accumulated over 70 million hours of ambient noise to identify how often people are exposed to potentially hearing damaging noise as they go about their lives.

 

[Eso]

I work in an environment that is occasionally loud enough that it is uncomfortable. It’s to the point where I would cover my ears if feasible, and was enough to prompt me to use the noise app to check the level. All it said was “long-term exposure to sounds at this level should not affect your hearing.” Ok then.

 

[flopticalcube]

I work in an environment that is occasionally loud enough that it is uncomfortable. It’s to the point where I would cover my ears if feasible, and was enough to prompt me to use the noise app to check the level. All it said was “long-term exposure to sounds at this level should not affect your hearing.” Ok then.

I worked for many years on a trading floor in front of a futures pit. No long-term damage from that, although I am now plagued with chronic tinnitus.

 

[Fowl]

I hope that someone (Apple?) will one day create audio device profiles (like ColorSync profiles for sound), to ensure consistent sound based on one's speakers/headphones and one's own hearing.

 

[George Zip]

I have severe (continual & loud) tinnitus and moderate hearing loss (from a car accident when I was in grade school); I would gladly pay for hearing aids made & sold by Apple.

I'm trying to decide if I want to get the AirPods Pro and try out their (arguable) hearing aids feature.

 

[flopticalcube]

I have severe (continual & loud) tinnitus and moderate hearing loss (from a car accident when I was in grade school); I would gladly pay for hearing aids made & sold by Apple.

I'm trying to decide if I want to get the AirPods Pro and try out their (arguable) hearing aids feature.

My condolences to you from a fellow sufferer.

 

[wmadan]

My condolences to you from a fellow sufferer.

And mine, too, from a fellow sufferer with tinnitus caused by nerve deafness in my left ear.

 

[flopticalcube]

And mine, too, from a fellow sufferer with tinnitus caused by nerve deafness in my left ear.

The cause of mine has yet to be pinpointed after 20 years. Not nerve damage, not a brain tumour. The current theory is that it is psychological which to me sounds like "we don't know".

 

[fhopper]

I participate in the hearing study. I have no ear buds nor an Apple Watch.