The study, published on May 29, 2025, explored whether six popular foundation models—designed for audio or speech processing—could estimate heart rates from phonocardiograms. These models weren’t trained specifically for health data, yet they delivered impressive results. According to the findings, most models matched or outperformed traditional methods that rely on handcrafted audio features, which are manually engineered to represent sound in machine learning. The best-performing model achieved a mean absolute error of just 2.73 beats per minute, showcasing accuracy comparable to dedicated medical tools. This suggests AirPods’ built-in microphones could capture heart sounds effectively, processed by AI to provide real-time health data.
The implications are significant. As Bloomberg noted, Apple is making its “biggest push into health yet” with AI-driven innovations. By leveraging existing audio hardware in AirPods, Apple could integrate heart rate monitoring into a device already worn daily by millions, making health tracking seamless and accessible.
Why It Matters for Users
For tech enthusiasts and casual users alike, this development promises a new level of convenience. Imagine wearing your AirPods during a workout or commute, and without extra effort, receiving heart rate updates that could flag irregularities like atrial fibrillation (Afib). The Apple Watch already offers advanced health features, such as ECG monitoring and irregular rhythm notifications, which have saved lives by detecting conditions like Afib. Extending similar capabilities to AirPods could democratize health monitoring further, especially for those who don’t own an Apple Watch.
The study’s findings align with Apple’s broader health initiatives. For instance, the Apple Heart and Movement Study, involving over 140,000 participants, has shown how wearables can track heart health and activity. Integrating AI-driven heart monitoring into AirPods could enhance these efforts, offering users a lightweight, non-intrusive way to stay informed about their cardiovascular health. As one X post highlighted, the potential for AirPods to achieve “98.7% accuracy” in heart rate monitoring could make them a game-changer in wearable health tech.
Technical Details Made Simple
Phonocardiograms are essentially audio recordings of heartbeats, capturing the distinct sounds of heart valves opening and closing. The Apple study used these recordings to test AI models’ ability to extract heart rate data. Unlike traditional methods that require complex, handcrafted audio features, these AI models rely on their internal audio representations—patterns learned from vast datasets of speech or sound. This allows them to adapt to health-related tasks without specialized retraining.
For users, this means AirPods could potentially “listen” to your heart through their microphones, with AI doing the heavy lifting to translate those sounds into meaningful data. The process is non-invasive and could run in the background, alerting users only when something needs attention, like an unusually high or low heart rate.
What’s Next?
While the study is promising, it’s still early-stage research. Apple hasn’t announced plans to roll out this feature in AirPods, and regulatory approval would be needed for medical-grade health monitoring. However, the study builds on Apple’s track record of turning research into real-world features. For example, the Apple Watch’s ECG app, introduced with Series 4, evolved from similar explorations into heart health. Posts on X reflect excitement about this potential, with users envisioning AirPods “dropping the hottest beats” while monitoring heart health.
The study also opens doors to broader applications. If AI can estimate heart rates from audio, future iterations could analyze other vital signs, like respiratory patterns, using AirPods’ microphones. This aligns with Apple’s reported work on AI-driven health features, including partnerships with companies like Alibaba to enhance AI capabilities in devices like the iPhone.
A Step Toward Smarter Wearables
Apple’s push into health tech is reshaping how users interact with their devices. AirPods, already versatile for audio and communication, could become a cornerstone of personal health monitoring. By combining AI’s power with existing hardware, Apple is poised to make health tracking more accessible, practical, and integrated into daily life. As the company prepares for WWDC 2025, where major software updates like iOS 19 are expected, this research could hint at new health-focused features across Apple’s ecosystem.
For now, AirPod users can look forward to a future where their earbuds do more than play music—they might just keep a beat on your heart.
