Apple Health Features Arrive in India: Sleep Apnoea Alerts on Apple Watch and Hearing Test on AirPods Pro

Apple is rolling out new health tools in India, bringing sleep apnoea notifications to Apple Watch and a clinically validated Hearing Test to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. Both features are designed as early warning aids for conditions that often go unnoticed, helping users discuss potential issues with medical professionals using information gathered at home.

The Hearing Test focuses on gradual hearing loss, which many people miss until it affects daily life. Using AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3 with a compatible iPhone or iPad, users complete an on-device test and receive an audiogram. The audiogram gives a numerical snapshot of hearing ability for each ear and offers clear, simple guidance on possible next steps.

AirPods Pro Hearing Test Explained

Apple bases the Hearing Test on pure-tone audiometry, which is the standard method used in clinics. The test takes around five minutes and runs through an interactive interface at home. After completion, the Health app stores the results securely. Users can check their hearing classification or share the audiogram with a physician for further review when needed.

Apple says the Hearing Test uses advanced acoustic science and large-scale, real-world data from the Apple Hearing Study. The goal is to offer clinical-grade results without visiting a clinic. All measurements and classifications remain inside the Health app, where they are encrypted. Apple notes that the company does not have default access to this personal data.

Apple Watch Sleep Apnoea Metrics Explained

Alongside hearing checks, Apple Watch gains a Breathing Disturbances metric aimed at spotting signs of sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea interrupts breathing during sleep and can limit oxygen levels. Researchers estimate that more than 1 billion people worldwide live with the disorder, and most cases are undiagnosed, leaving many at risk of long-term health problems.

The new metric uses the Apple Watch accelerometer to sense tiny wrist movements linked with disrupted breathing. The device studies this information over 30-day periods. When patterns point to moderate or severe sleep apnoea, the watch sends a notification. The alert suggests the user should speak with a medical professional, since the feature is not a diagnostic tool.

Apple trained the underlying algorithm using machine learning and clinical-grade sleep study data. In a large validation study, every participant highlighted by the algorithm had at least mild sleep apnoea. Within the Health app, users can export a PDF containing three months of breathing disturbance trends, flagged events and educational notes to help conversations with healthcare providers.

Breathing Disturbances can also show how restful sleep is over time. The metric labels nightly patterns as "elevated" or "not elevated" and presents charts over one-month, six-month or one-year views. Changes may link to factors such as alcohol intake, medication or sleep position. This longer-term perspective can help people recognise lifestyle patterns linked with restless nights.

Apple Health Privacy Approach

Apple stresses that both breathing disturbance logs and Hearing Test audiograms stay private on the user’s device. The data sits inside the Health app with protections similar to other sensitive records. Access controls allow users to decide which apps or clinicians can see specific information, if they choose to share it for care or monitoring.

Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple's vice president of Health and Fitness, said: “At Apple, we believe technology should empower people to take control of their health, and that starts with giving users tools to detect conditions they may not even know they have. From sleep apnoea notifications on Apple Watch to a hearing test with AirPods Pro, we're excited to bring these meaningful capabilities to our users in India.”