US-based tech giant Apple has unveiled new health-focused features for users in India. These features include sleep apnea notifications on Apple Watch and a clinically validated hearing test on AirPods Pro. The aim is to help users identify potential health issues and track their well-being using wearable devices.
Apple mentioned that Watch users in India will now get sleep apnea notifications through a new ‘Breathing Disturbances’ metric. This feature utilizes the accelerometer in the device to detect wrist movements linked to disruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep. It analyzes this data every 30 days and notifies users if it identifies consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea, advising them to seek medical advice for further assessment and treatment.
Moreover, AirPods Pro users in India can now access a clinically validated hearing test feature based on pure-tone audiometry. This test, which can be completed in about five minutes using AirPods Pro paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad, provides users with a summary of their hearing levels, including measurements for each ear, classifications, and recommendations. The results, including an audiogram, are securely stored in the Health app and can be shared with healthcare providers.
Apple’s Vice President of Health and Fitness, Sumbul Desai, M.D., expressed excitement about these new capabilities, emphasizing the importance of features like sleep apnea notifications and the hearing test for users in India. The company highlighted that sleep apnea affects over a billion people globally and is often undiagnosed, potentially leading to health risks if left untreated.
