The AirPods Pro may soon become a more viable option for those with hearing loss as Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a dedicated “hearing aid mode” with the upcoming release of iOS 18 later this year.

According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter published on Sunday, the new software update for Apple’s wireless earbuds will include an enhanced mode specifically designed to aid users with hearing impairments.

While details on the exact functionality of this hearing aid mode remain scarce, the AirPods Pro has previously demonstrated its potential as an alternative to traditional hearing aids, which can cost upwards of $2,000 on average.

A study conducted in 2022 found that the AirPods Pro, when combined with Apple’s “Live Listen” feature on the iPhone, performed comparably to lower-priced hearing aid devices. The Live Listen feature leverages the iPhone’s microphone to capture and transmit sound directly to connected AirPods, effectively amplifying and clarifying audio input.

Apple has been steadily enhancing the accessibility features of its products, including a recent update to the Live Listen capability that enables compatibility with Made for iPhone hearing aids.

The introduction of a dedicated hearing aid mode for the AirPods Pro in iOS 18 could further solidify Apple’s commitment to providing inclusive experiences for users with varying abilities.

Beyond the potential hearing aid enhancements, iOS 18 is shaping up to be a significant release for Apple, with analysts anticipating the company’s first major push into artificial intelligence integration. This development could breathe new life into the oft-criticized Siri virtual assistant, making it a more capable and useful tool for users.

Additionally, iOS 18 is expected to include support for Rich Communication Services (RCS), a modern messaging standard that would facilitate the seamless exchange of high-quality media such as images, videos, and audio files between iPhone and Android users.

While an official release date for iOS 18 has not been announced, Apple typically unveils its major software updates during the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in the summer, with the public rollout coinciding with the launch of new iPhone models, anticipated to be the iPhone 16 series this year.