Apple Hearing Study reveals new insights on hearing health from data collected from thousands of participants across the US. The Apple Hearing Study is one of the studies launched within the Research app which is using technology that is part of individual’s everyday lives. The study is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and data is being shared with the World Health Organization’s Make Listening Safe initiative.
By 2050, the WHO estimates more than 700 million people globally will experience profound hearing loss. The 3rd March is designated as World Hearing Day, amplifying a global call to address hearing loss and related issues. Reduced hearing can affect a person’s health and well-being in many ways, such as contributing to reduced communication, feelings of isolation, loneliness, and withdrawal.
The Apple Hearing Study allows users to participate and contribute to their long-term hearing health data from their Apple Watch and iPhone, allowing for study participation at a scale never seen before. 25% of participants experience a daily average environmental sound exposure (which can include traffic, machinery, public transport, and so on) that is higher than the WHO recommended limit. Also, nearly 50% of participants now work, or have previously worked, in a loud workplace. As noise exposure has shown an impact on hearing, it’s important to be aware of surroundings. Checking noise levels with the Noise app on Apple Watch can be an effective way to be more aware of sound exposure.
Apple Hearing Study results
- Average weekly headphone exposure for one in 10 participants is higher than the WHO recommended limit. Listeners should consider listening to music and other media at the lowest enjoyable volume.
- About 10% of Apple Hearing Study participants have been diagnosed with hearing loss by a professional. Of these, 75% do not use assistive support such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, even though such devices can help reduce the impacts of hearing loss.
- 20% of participants have hearing loss when compared to WHO standards, and 10% have hearing loss that is consistent with noise exposure.
- Nearly 50% of participants haven’t had their hearing tested by a professional in at least 10 years. And 25% of participants experience ringing in their ears a few times a week or more, which could be a sign of hearing damage. Everyone should have their hearing health checked periodically by a professional.
Users across the US can participate in the Apple Hearing Study through the Research app which can be downloaded here.
Apple are providing extensive support to advance hearing health and accessibility including tools to monitory and protect hearing health. With the Noise app, Apple Watch users can enable notifications that alert when environmental noise levels might affect their hearing health. The Health app on iPhone keeps track of a user’s history of exposure to sound levels, and informs whether headphones or environmental levels have exceeded those recommended by WHO standards.
More information on Apple’s hearing and other accessibility features can be found by going to apple.com/accessibility/hearing.
