Apple Watch Noise App image

In 2019, tech giant Apple launched three studies to examine factors that affect hearing health. One in particular, in collaboration with the University of Michigan, collected headphone and environmental sound exposures over time among 130,000 participating Apple Watch users.

The study was promoted and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and contributed to the organization’s Make Listening Safe initiative 

“The information gleaned from this partnership will be critical for us to address the public health impact of various noise exposures on hearing loss in the United States,” said DuBois Bowman, dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Some of the initial data from April found that 1 in 3 adult Americans are exposed to excessive noise levels above 70 decibels. Some of the loudest places in California are in the Central Valley, with 45% of Kings County participants exposed to excessive noise pollution, ranking it 18th out of 531 U.S. metro areas.

Tulare County is ranked 67th for excessive noise exposures among U.S. metros. Fresno is No. 266 and Madera No. 172.

One local hearing specialist believes Apple’s efforts can potentially change the way his industry helps improve patients’ lives.

“If you do have a hearing impairment, there are long-term [effects] that happen, but this is even bringing awareness to the short-term issues,” said Dennis Thomas, owner of Beltone Central California, provider of hearing instruments and hearing aids. “If you have that awareness then maybe you can prevent permanent damage from setting in.”

Thomas, who has worked as a hearing specialist for over 38 years, said that the partnership between a hearing specialist, health care provider and patient is key in long-term hearing retention.

Much like the development of auditory-assisting technology has taken years to mature, hearing loss can develop over a long period of time, sometimes as long as 25 to 30 years, Thomas said.

Thomas presented an example of one often-overlooked form of hearing loss experienced by many who attend loud events such as concerts or auto racing, as well as those who operate or work near heavy machinery.

“That’s called a ‘temporary threshold shift,’” he said. “Any time you’re experiencing temporary threshold shifts, that’s a sign that you’re exposed to enough noise to cause damage to your hearing.”

Apple’s monitoring system will help provide individual assistance based on environmental noise.

The Apple Noise app, available on Apple Watch Series 4 or later, utilizes the microphone on a user’s Apple Watch to detect the decibel level and when hearing can be potentially affected.

Apps like this, combined with similar studies, provide patients with preemptive information that can help combat future hearing loss.

Beltone was founded in 1940 in Chicago. The company now operates more than 1,500 hearing care centers throughout North America, providing patients with initial care, maintenance and servicing.