Strengthening its health-focused ecosystem in India, Apple has started rolling out new wellness features for eligible Apple Watch and AirPods Pro devices across the country.
The update introduces sleep apnea notifications on supported Apple Watch models and a clinically validated Hearing Test feature for compatible AirPods Pro models. These features were first launched globally in 2024 and are now being expanded to additional regions, including India.
The new sleep apnea notification feature on Apple Watch uses a metric called “Breathing Disturbances” to monitor irregular breathing patterns during sleep. Using the watch’s accelerometer, the system tracks subtle wrist movements linked to breathing disruptions.
Apple said the feature analyses data collected over a 30-day period and alerts users if it detects consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. Users can also export a PDF report containing up to 3 months of breathing disturbance data to share with healthcare professionals.
Supported Apple Watch models include Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch SE 3. The feature requires the latest watchOS and iOS versions, along with sleep tracking enabled. Users must wear the watch during sleep for at least 10 nights within a 30-day period for analysis.
Apple has also introduced the Hearing Test feature for compatible AirPods Pro models in India. Based on pure-tone audiometry, the feature allows users to check their hearing levels at home using AirPods Pro connected to a compatible iPhone or iPad.
The hearing test takes around 5 minutes and provides a summary of hearing levels for each ear, along with recommendations. Results are stored in the Health app as an audiogram and can be shared with healthcare providers.
The feature supports AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 running the latest firmware with compatible devices updated to the latest software.
However, Apple has not yet introduced the Hearing Aid functionality in India. The feature, already available in markets such as the US, uses hearing profiles to amplify surrounding sound for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Its absence indicates that regulatory approvals in India may still be pending.
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