Look, I get it. We're all addicted to the dopamine hit of shiny new gadgets. But let's take a collective deep breath and consider that maybe – just maybe – the tech world's obsession with the next big thing is blinding us to the real revolution happening right under our AirPod-stuffed ears.
This week, The Information, a publication I usually respect, published a piece lamenting Apple's recent product updates as "snoozy sameness". The author bemoaned the iPhone's new camera button and slightly larger displays on Pro models. But buried in this yawn-fest of an article was a bombshell that apparently didn't register on their innovation Richter scale: The Apple Watch can now detect sleep apnea, and AirPods can now function as hearing aids.
And here's where it gets really interesting. The article quips, "That really tells you something about the average age of whoever's making the top calls at Apple these days." Oh, wow. That tells us something alright, but not about Apple – it's about the ageism baked into Silicon Valley thinking.
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.
As the CEO of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of America’s leading AgeTech innovators based here in Research Triangle Park, I'm here to tell you that this is a headline. Being knee-deep in the world of elder care and health tech innovation, I think this signals a major shift in Big Tech’s focus. Apple isn't just catering to young tech bros anymore; they're addressing the unmet needs of millions of Americans. And if that's "snoozy," then call me Rip Van Winkle.
Let's be clear: Designing for older adults and those with health concerns isn't a sign of a company losing its edge. It's a sign of a company that understands where the real opportunities for innovation lie. It's about time tech started solving real problems instead of just creating shiny distractions.
Let's break this down, shall we?
First, sleep apnea. It's not just a fancy term for snoring that annoys your bedmate. It's a serious condition affecting 39 million Americans, with higher prevalence in Black and Hispanic populations. Left untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The traditional diagnosis? A lovely overnight stay in a sleep lab, hooked up to more wires than a Cold War-era spy movie. Cost? Anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Now, Apple's offering a way to detect this on a device you wear anyway, for a fraction of the cost. That's not “snoozy innovation;." That's a healthcare revolution in a wrist-sized package.
But wait, there's more! AirPods as FDA-approved hearing aids? Hearing loss affects 40 million Americans, yet only one in ten who need hearing aids use them. Why? Cost, stigma and the joy of looking like you're wearing a 1980s Bluetooth headset. Enter AirPods: sleek, socially acceptable, and now potentially life-saving. The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study led by Johns Hopkins recently showed that hearing aids cut the risk of dementia by 50% in older adults. Another recent USC School of Medicine study showed that hearing aids can reduce the risk of death by almost 25%. That's right, your fancy earbuds could literally be a lifeline.
Now, I'm not saying Apple's doing this out of the goodness of their heart. They're a business, and businesses like money. But here's the kicker – by addressing real health issues that affect millions, they're tapping into a market that's both massive and meaningful. It's like they've discovered a magical formula where doing good is also good business. Who knew?
This shift towards patient-centered innovation is necessary. We're living in an aging society, where the needs of older adults and those with chronic health conditions can no longer be ignored. By integrating health features into mainstream devices, Apple's not just expanding its market – it's normalizing health monitoring and making it accessible.
The potential impact is staggering. Imagine a world where sleep disorders are caught early, where hearing loss doesn't lead to social isolation and cognitive decline, where your watch is your first line of defense against heart issues. This isn't science fiction anymore.
So, to my fellow innovators and industry watchers, I implore you: Look beyond the pixel count and the processor speed. The real story isn't in the specs. It’s in the lives these devices could change. It's time we redefine what we consider "innovation" in the tech world.
And to Apple and other tech giants, I say this: More, please. Keep pushing the boundaries of what consumer devices can do for health. Partner with healthcare providers, researchers, and yes, even scrappy health tech startups like mine. There's a whole world of unmet health needs out there, and you have the power to address them.
As for me and the team at CareYaya, we couldn’t be more excited. This convergence of consumer tech and healthcare is exactly what we've been working towards and writing about in WRAL for months, including even Apple’s recent iPad refresh that signaled a big pivot to the needs of older adults. Consumerization of health tech is a validation of our mission and a call to action. Because if Apple can turn AirPods into hearing aids, imagine what else is possible.
So the next time someone yawns at a tech update, remind them that sometimes, the most revolutionary changes don't come with fireworks and confetti. Sometimes, they come with a good night's sleep and the ability to hear your grandkids laugh. And that, my friends, is anything but snoozy.
Neal K. Shah is chief executive officer of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of the fastest-growing health tech startups in America. He runs a social enterprise and applied research lab utilizing AI and neurotech to advance health equity for the aging population. Shah has advanced AI projects to improve neurological care with support from the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins AITC and Harvard Innovation Labs. Shah is a “Top Healthcare Voice” on LinkedIn with a 45k+ following.