Apple is set to enhance its smartwatch capabilities with a new feature designed to detect sleep apnea, building on its history of expanding health-tracking functionalities since the debut of the Apple Watch in 2015. This latest update will introduce a “breathing disturbances” metric that leverages the device’s accelerometer to monitor wrist movements linked to disruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep. The Apple Watch will analyze this data monthly and notify users of potential moderate-to-severe sleep apnea if consistent disturbances are detected.
The algorithm powering this new feature was developed using machine learning and validated through clinical-grade sleep apnea tests. Apple reports that participants who received alerts from the feature had at least mild sleep apnea. The company anticipates receiving approval from the FDA and other global health authorities soon, with the feature expected to be available later this month. This follows Samsung’s February de novo authorization for a smartwatch with similar sleep apnea detection capabilities.
Apple Watch users will also be able to download a PDF report detailing potential sleep apnea events, including three months of breathing disturbance data to facilitate discussions with healthcare providers.
The introduction of sleep apnea detection in smartwatches may positively impact companies like Resmed and Philips, which specialize in sleep apnea treatment devices. Carlos Nunez, Chief Medical Officer at Resmed, noted that such smartwatch features could stimulate crucial conversations about sleep health. Resmed CEO Mick Farrell, speaking at a Morgan Stanley event, predicted that Apple’s addition of sleep apnea detection could lead to a significant influx of patients and create substantial opportunities within the industry. Farrell emphasized the need for integration between wearable health data and treatment devices through APIs and digital pathways.
In addition to the sleep apnea feature, Apple is also enhancing its AirPods Pro 2 with new hearing capabilities. The updates include a pure-tone audiometry test for at-home hearing assessments and sound amplification features to address mild-to-moderate hearing loss. These capabilities are expected to receive authorization soon and will be available in over 100 countries, including the U.S., this fall. Apple is also introducing a hearing protection feature in the U.S. and Canada.
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