Hearing Accessibility Features in iOS: Enhancing Your Experience
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Chapter 1: Understanding Hearing Accessibility
Hearing plays a crucial role in how we perceive and interact with our environment. However, when issues arise, many of us tend to overlook them, hoping they will resolve themselves. The stigma surrounding hearing aids often discourages individuals from seeking help, leading them to favor trendy headphones or earphones instead.
Maintaining healthy hearing is essential, as it can enhance social interaction, improve communication, and even reduce the risk of depression. There are also connections between hearing loss and various disabling conditions, making it vital to prioritize hearing health.
Technology has made significant strides in addressing these concerns. A recent study published in iScience revealed that participants preferred using AirPods Pro with the Live Listen feature over traditional $10,000 hearing aids. Live Listen is an innovative accessibility tool in Apple's iOS that allows iPhone microphones to transmit audio directly to headphones, making conversations easier in noisy environments. The study evaluated different AirPods models and found that they met established standards for personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) in four out of five tests.
With this in mind, let’s delve into the accessibility features of iOS that support hearing health. For further details, you can explore additional resources linked here and here. These features include compatibility with iPhone-ready hearing aids (check for supported devices here), the use of Real-time Text (RTT) for sending text messages during calls, visual notifications via LED flash, and headphone customizations to tailor audio settings based on individual hearing needs, including adjustments using an audiogram. This post will focus on headphone customizations.
Section 1.1: Customizing Your Headphones
Headphone customizations allow users to adjust audio settings to amplify sounds and modify specific frequencies. To utilize this feature, you will need an iPhone and compatible headphones, such as AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) or AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation). Here’s how to access these settings:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Scroll to the Hearing section. The first option is Hearing Devices, where you can manage iPhone-compatible hearing aids. Pair them as you would with any new headphones.
Next, to explore the Headphone Accommodations, select the Audio/Visual menu.
Subsection 1.1.1: Audio/Visual Settings
Inside the Audio/Visual menu:
- Click on Headphone Accommodations and toggle it on.
- You can then apply Custom Audio Setup to tailor the settings to your preferences.
You will be guided through a series of tasks to optimize the settings for phone calls, music, and movies, as well as import an audiogram if available. Let’s take a closer look at these features.
Section 1.2: Utilizing an Audiogram
The Custom Audio Setup feature allows you to use an audiogram, which can be sourced from the Health app or imported through your camera, a photo, or a file. The process is straightforward and involves just a few clicks.
If your audiogram is nearly symmetric, the system averages the hearing profiles of both ears to adjust the audio channels. In cases of asymmetry, it tailors the channels according to the better ear’s hearing profile.
Chapter 2: Manual Adjustments and Transparency
It is also possible to manually adjust settings by listening to various audio samples to fine-tune your configuration. Ensure you are in a quiet space and dedicate about five minutes to this process. You will answer questions about your ability to hear different sounds, helping to refine the audio experience.
The final stage of adjustment focuses on transparency mode, which enhances the audibility of soft voices and tunes sounds to your surroundings. Simply toggle it on and make any necessary adjustments. After completing these settings, you can choose to use the custom settings or stick with the standard options.
And just like that, you’re ready to fully engage with the world around you.
Originally published at Quantum Tunnel.