Apple has introduced new health-focused features to its wearable lineup, adding sleep apnoea notifications to the Apple Watch and a clinically validated Hearing Test feature to the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 in India. These additions expand the company’s suite of health-monitoring tools, focusing on two widespread but frequently undiagnosed health conditions.
Detecting Signs of Sleep Apnoea via Apple Watch
Sleep apnoea is a prevalent respiratory disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can prevent the body from receiving adequate oxygen. The condition is estimated to affect over 1 billion people globally, with a significant majority of cases remaining undiagnosed. Left untreated, chronic sleep apnoea is associated with long-term health risks, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues.
To address this, Apple has introduced a new metric called Breathing Disturbances.
- Mechanism: The feature utilizes the Apple Watch’s accelerometer to detect microscopic movements at the wrist that correlate with disruptions in normal respiratory patterns during sleep.
- Analysis and Alerts: The Apple Watch analyzes this data over 30-day intervals. If the algorithm detects consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnoea, it triggers a notification advising the user to consult a medical professional.
- Reporting: Users can export a PDF from the Health app detailing three months of breathing disturbance data, specific instances of potential apnoea, and educational context to facilitate discussions with healthcare providers.
The underlying algorithm was trained using machine learning on an extensive dataset of clinical-grade sleep tests. It was subsequently validated in a large-scale clinical study where every participant flagged by the algorithm was confirmed to have at least mild sleep apnoea.
Beyond screening for apnoea, the Breathing Disturbances metric allows users to track general sleep restfulness. Because these disturbances can be influenced by external factors like alcohol consumption, medication, and sleep position, users can monitor nightly trends categorized as “elevated” or “not elevated” over one-month, six-month, or one-year periods.
At-Home Hearing Tests via AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3
Because hearing loss typically progresses gradually, many individuals remain unaware of its onset. Apple’s new Hearing Test feature aims to provide accessible insight into auditory health using AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 and a compatible iPhone or iPad.
| Feature Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Based on pure-tone audiometry (the standard clinical approach). |
| Duration | Approximately five minutes. |
| Location | Conducted entirely at home via an interactive interface. |
| Output | An audiogram, a numerical representation of hearing loss per ear, and actionable recommendations. |
Developed using large-scale, real-world data and insights from the Apple Hearing Study, the feature leverages advanced acoustic science to deliver clinical-grade results. Once completed, the test data is securely stored within the Health app, where users can view their classification or share the audiogram with a physician for further evaluation.
Data Privacy Note: Like other biometric data gathered by Apple devices, both the breathing disturbance logs and the hearing test audiograms are stored privately and securely within the native Health app.
Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health and Fitness, said:
At Apple, we believe technology should empower people to take control of their health, and that starts with giving users tools to detect conditions they may not even know they have. From sleep apnoea notifications on Apple Watch to a hearing test with AirPods Pro, we’re excited to bring these meaningful capabilities to our users in India.