PP406 - Apple AirPods Pro as an Assistive Listening Device in Health-Care Settings

Abstract:
This study examines the use of AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with Live Listen and noise cancellation as a potential Assistive Listening Device (ALD) in noisy healthcare environments. In a trial with participants aged 60 and above, significant improvements in speech comprehension and memory retention were observed when Live Listen was activated. The results suggest that AirPods Pro can enhance communication, particularly for individuals with higher Speech-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) loss, making them a cost-effective, accessible option for improving patient outcomes in healthcare settings.

Summary:

Objective:
This study investigates the integration of the Live Listen feature with noise cancellation capabilities of AirPods Pro (2nd generation) to assess their potential as a cost-effective and accessible Assistive Listening Device (ALD) in acoustically challenging healthcare settings. It aims to evaluate the efficacy of this technology in enhancing speech comprehension and memory retention among patients, particularly those with varying degrees of Speech-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) loss.

Methods:
A prospective, within-subjects design was utilized, involving participants aged 60 and above with normal to mild/moderate hearing loss. Participants underwent pre-test assessments, including pure tone audiometry, digit span tests, and QuickSIN tests. They were then exposed to controlled noise conditions mimicking a noisy healthcare environment with and without the Live Listen feature activated. Speech comprehension and memory retention were measured and analyzed using paired t-tests and regression analysis.

Results:
The study found significant improvements in both speech comprehension and memory retention when the Live Listen feature was used. Specifically, comprehension scores increased from an average of 20.47 without Live Listen to 23.53 with Live Listen, and memory retention scores improved from 10.89 to 14.74. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between the degree of SNR loss and the benefits gained from using the Live Listen feature, suggesting greater enhancements for individuals with higher levels of SNR loss.

Implications:
These findings indicate that AirPods Pro with Live Listen can serve as an effective ALD in noisy healthcare environments, potentially improving patient outcomes by enhancing communication. This study underscores the value of integrating accessible consumer technology into healthcare practices to address communication barriers, especially for the aging population and those with hearing impairments. Further research is needed to explore the implementation and broader applicability of such technologies in healthcare settings.