Apple has officially expanded the availability of its hearing and sleep health monitoring features to Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and additional regions.
The newly rolled-out features include the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid functionality on AirPods Pro 2, and sleep apnea detection notifications on Apple Watch, marking a major step in the company's global digital health initiative.
Health Features That Make a Difference
Validated Hearing Test & Assistive Aid Support on AirPods Pro 2
The updated AirPods Pro 2 now support an integrated Hearing Test, allowing users to assess hearing in under five minutes using calibrated tones across different frequencies.
Together with the iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or later, the wireless earbuds can also act as over-the-counter hearing aids via the new Hearing Aid feature.
>>> FDA Approves AirPods Pro 2 as Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
These tools target individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and are designed for users aged 18 and older.
Sleep Apnea Notifications Using Apple Watch Sensors
Sleep apnea detection, launched with Apple Watch Series 10 and powered by watchOS 11, is now available in over 150 countries, including the Asia-Pacific region.
The feature continuously monitors breathing patterns during sleep using the watch's accelerometer.
Consistent abnormalities across a 30-day window trigger alerts in the Apple Health app, prompting users to consider medical evaluation.
Global Rollout Driven by Regulatory Expansion
Originally launched in select countries in 2024, these features required regional regulatory clearance.
By July 2025, Apple has secured necessary authorizations to activate these capabilities across expanded markets.
Though Indonesia and Vietnam were not listed in initial documentation, updated support pages and statements by Apple CEO Tim Cook confirm full functionality in these regions as of mid-2025.
A Unified Health Ecosystem: Apple's Vision for Digital Wellness
These new tools reflect Apple's broader investment in health technology, aiming to integrate medical-grade functionalities into widely adopted consumer devices.
By turning accessories like AirPods and smartwatches into health data collection tools, Apple is reshaping how users interact with preventative care and digital screenings.
While these features are not substitutes for medical devices or professional diagnostics, they mark a significant move toward accessible health awareness worldwide.
Editor's Comments
Apple's steady expansion into personal health tech illustrates the growing importance of wearable technology in global healthcare.
The company's approach balances user accessibility and regulatory caution, allowing innovation to scale responsibly.
With sleep apnea affecting an estimated 1 in 5 adults and hearing loss becoming increasingly prevalent with an aging population, Apple's integration of these tools into daily wearables could encourage early detection and proactive health management globally.
The success of these features also increases the pressure on regulatory frameworks worldwide to adapt to the rise of consumer-grade health monitoring solutions.
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