Future AirPods Could Monitor Body Temperature and Posture, and Work as a Hearing Aid

Apple is developing AirPods with health features, including body temperature and posture monitoring, and the ability to work as a hearing aid, according to The Wall Street Journal.

airpods pro black background
According to documents seen by The Wall Street Journal, prototypes of AirPods with temperature sensors for monitoring a wearer's core body temperature from inside the ear are being developed. The report noted that these in-ear temperature sensors could work in tandem with a temperature sensor in the Apple Watch Series 8.

The health-focused AirPods reportedly also use motion sensors to monitor a wearer's posture and alert them when they are slouching in an effort to improve posture.

Apple released its "Conversation Boost" feature for AirPods Pro last week, which boosts the volume and clarity of people directly in front of the wearer. It is not clear if the new hearing aid functions being explored by Apple are an extension of Conversation Boost or a wholly different hearing aid-specific feature. AirPods already feature, microphones, an amplifier, and a processor, providing the bedrock for hearing aid functionality.

AirPods may not be suitable as hearing aids for some sufferers of hearing loss since they do not have an all-day battery life, but the report noted that an expansion of FDA regulations for a new class of hearing aids, targeting mild to moderate hearing moss, that is expected next year could pave the way for Apple to explicitly market AirPods as hearing aids.

AirPods have been rumored to feature health-monitoring functions for some time, even with Apple executives hinting at the possibility. While previous reports have only speculated on the health features that could theoretically come to AirPods, The ‌Wall Street Journal‌'s report is the first clarification of the specific features Apple is reportedly exploring.

Individuals said to be familiar with Apple's plans told the The ‌Wall Street Journal‌ that the AirPods with health features are not expected to launch in 2022, and may never be released.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 May See 'Significant' Dynamic Island Changes

Monday July 14, 2025 12:11 am PDT by
The iPhone's Dynamic Island experience is set to undergo "significant evolution" over the next few years, according to a new rumor. Earlier this month, a report suggested that the iPhone 17 lineup will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, but little else was explained about the software changes. Now, the leaker known as "Majin Bu" appears to have corroborated this, commenting ...

Top Rated Comments

ProfessionalFan Avatar
49 months ago
My posture sucks, so is it going to buzz in my ear constantly or something?

Maybe a Tim Cook VoiceOver saying "You're sitting wrong"?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
49 months ago

In like 45 years from now.
Tired of super behind Apple products.
Apple prefers to do stuff best, rather than first.

I like that.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnmarki Avatar
49 months ago


Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FloridaScrubJay Avatar
49 months ago
‘…targeting mild to moderate hearing moss,…”

Well, if there moss in the ears, hearing is going to suffer. Doubt AirPods will help much with that. ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DelayedGratificationGene Avatar
49 months ago
Vintage Apple…just when the whole world is speculating and guessing how Apple is going to get Apple Watch to take your temperature they go and throw it in the Airpods…classic amazing Apple
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarpalMac Avatar
49 months ago

Apple prefers to do stuff best, rather than first.

I like that.
I am on to my fourth Airpod Pro replacement. How's their software releases going to?

The "It just works" and "Best rather than first" mantra is as played out as the doomed comments.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)