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A more accessible future: AirPods, hearing aids, and the audio technology to make it possible

<div class="feat-image">(https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/airpods.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600)</div><p>Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly stated his belief (https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/17/tim-cook-calls-accessibility-a-core-value-of-apple-as-he-sits-down-for-trio-of-interviews-in-honor-of-gaad/) that technology should be accessible to everyone. For decades, Apple products have shipped with accessibility features, proof that these values are deeply rooted in the company. Apple even launched a dedicated accessibility website (https://9to5mac.com/2016/10/27/apple-opens-special-event-with-focus-on-accessibility-announces-dedicated-website/) in 2016, showcasing the stories of several (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHFlHpPjgk7307LVoFKonAqq616WCzif7) individuals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB4cjbYywqg) and how their lives have benefited from accessible products.</p>
<p>One branch of accessibility that’s received an increasing (https://9to5mac.com/2016/01/30/apple-fcc-mfi-hearing-aid/) amount of attention is hearing (https://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/hearing/). While iOS has supported (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202186) hearing aids in some capacity for years (http://fieldecho.blogspot.com.ng/2011/08/ios-5-to-include-hearing-aid-mode.html), deep integration with the iPhone first became possible when Apple expanded (https://9to5mac.com/2013/06/14/new-for-accessory-makers-in-ios-7-open-airplay-audio-apple-designed-hearing-aid-tech-device-management-much-more/) its Made for iPhone (https://9to5mac.com/guides/made-for-iphone/) (MFi) licensing program to cover hearing devices. Advancements in Bluetooth Low Energy (https://9to5mac.com/guides/bluetooth-le/) technology in concert with a proprietary audio transmission protocol have been essential in enabling a steady stream of iPhone-compatible hearing aids and cochlear implants (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implant) to be released.</p>
<p>At the same time, Apple developed (https://9to5mac.com/2016/08/05/report-apple-developing-custom-low-energy-bluetooth-chip-for-its-own-wireless-headphones-may-launch-with-iphone-7/) an audio product of its own – AirPods (https://9to5mac.com/guides/airpods/). The wireless headphones include advanced low energy technology themselves, powered by the Apple-designed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_mobile_application_processors#Apple_W1) W1 chip (https://9to5mac.com/guides/w1/). Between the company’s work in both accessibility and audio, Apple finds itself in a unique position to dramatically transform the market of hearing augmentation.</p>
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