Shares in Hearing Aid Makers Drop After Apple Introduces AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Features
Shares of European hearing aid manufacturers fell in early trading on Tuesday following Apple’s announcement of new hearing aid capabilities for its AirPods Pro 2. The tech giant revealed that a forthcoming software update would enable the AirPods Pro 2 to function as a personalized hearing aid, enhancing specific sounds in real time, such as speech and environmental elements.
In response to the news, shares of Italy’s Amplifon fell by as much as 7.2% early in the session and were down 5.7% by 0845 GMT. Other hearing aid companies, including Sonova, Demant, and GN Store Nord, saw their shares drop between 2% and 4%.
Despite these declines, analysts from Jefferies have indicated that Apple’s move may not pose a significant threat to traditional hearing aid manufacturers. They argue that over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, like those that could be offered through AirPods Pro 2, cater to a different market segment. OTC devices typically address mild hearing issues and do not compete directly with prescription-based hearing aids, which are designed for more severe hearing impairments and offer more specialized fitting and support.
Analysts from Vontobel also suggest that while the immediate market impact may be concerning, the increased visibility of hearing loss issues due to Apple’s announcement could ultimately benefit the hearing aid industry by raising awareness about hearing health.
