Apple Introduces Live Captioning and Expanded Hearing Aid Support for Inclusive Device Use

Apple rolled out new accessibility tools that add live captioning to video calls, podcasts, and media, delivering on‑screen text synced with spoken words, helping deaf and hard‑of‑hearing users follow audio content without extra apps.

Hearing Aid support was expanded to include direct Bluetooth streaming for a wider range of FDA‑cleared devices, allowing users to route phone and app audio straight to their aids without an intermediary receiver.

Settings now feature a simplified “Hearing” menu where users can toggle sound amplification, balance controls, and the new “Live Listen” mode that uses the device’s microphone to boost nearby conversation directly to compatible hearing aids.

Industry analysts note the update aligns Apple with global accessibility regulations and could boost device adoption among the estimated 466 million adults worldwide with disabling hearing loss, expanding the company’s inclusive market reach.