Apple on Tuesday introduced two major health-focused features for users in India, bringing sleep apnea notifications to the Apple Watch and clinically validated hearing tests to AirPods Pro. This move deepens the company's push into preventive healthcare through consumer devices.
Addressing Undiagnosed Conditions
The new features aim to help users identify health conditions that often go undiagnosed for years. Sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, is estimated to affect more than one billion people globally. It is linked to conditions including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
How Sleep Apnea Detection Works
Apple stated that the Apple Watch feature uses the device's accelerometer to track "Breathing Disturbances" — small wrist movements associated with interrupted breathing patterns during sleep. The watch analyzes this data every 30 days and alerts users if it detects consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea, encouraging them to seek medical advice.
Users can also export a PDF report containing breathing disturbance data spanning three months, allowing them to share results with doctors for further evaluation. The feature was developed using machine learning and validated using clinical-grade sleep apnea data, Apple said.
Wearables Deeper into Healthcare
"At Apple, we believe technology should empower people to take control of their health," said Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple's vice president of Health and Fitness. She added that the company wants to help users identify conditions they "may not even know they have."
At-Home Hearing Test for AirPods Pro
Alongside sleep tracking, Apple is also introducing an at-home hearing test for AirPods Pro users in India. The feature uses a standard clinical method known as pure-tone audiometry and allows users to check hearing levels in around five minutes using compatible Apple devices.
After completing the test, users receive an audiogram and a summary showing hearing loss levels in each ear, along with recommendations. The results are stored in the Health app and can be shared with healthcare professionals.
These additions underscore Apple's commitment to integrating health monitoring into everyday devices, potentially reaching millions of users who might otherwise overlook early warning signs of serious conditions.
