Smartwatches and headphones are increasingly functioning as proactive health monitoring tools, a trend highlighted by Apple’s recent expansion of health features in Colombia.The rollout includes advanced capabilities for detecting sleep apnea – a condition affecting an estimated one billion people globally, with the majority undiagnosed – and providing clinical-grade audiometry via AirPods Pro. These advancements aim to address gaps in preventative care, especially in regions where access to traditional medical diagnostics can be limited, and underscore a growing reliance on personal technology for early health risk assessment.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers are evolving beyond simple notification devices and step counters, transforming into preventative health labs worn around the clock.
In Colombia, where preventative healthcare has historically lagged, new wrist-worn and ear-worn devices are expanding access to vital health data previously requiring a clinical visit. Apple recently expanded its health ecosystem in the country with advanced features for detecting sleep apnea and conducting clinical-grade audiometry exams.
Sleep apnea, often called a ‘silent enemy,’ affects an estimated one billion people worldwide – a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during sleep. Alarmingly, medical data suggests 80% of those affected are unaware they have it. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to hypertension, heart disease, and even death. Apple is addressing this issue with the rollout of the ‘Sleep Apnea Notification’ feature in Colombia.
Available on the Apple Watch (Series 9, Ultra 2, and later), the feature utilizes a surprising technical innovation: it doesn’t rely on the heart rate sensor, but rather the accelerometer. “We use the accelerometer to detect interruptions in breathing,” explained Dr. Matt Bianchi, an Apple sleep expert. “Those movements of the breath that occur in the chest are reflected through the arm in tiny, almost imperceptible movements that we can detect on the wrist.”
Unlike an instantaneous heart rate measurement, this function is designed to be used over time, as sleep apnea is a chronic condition, not a one-night event. The watch analyzes a metric called ‘Respiratory Disturbances’ over a 30-day period.
This extended analysis period helps avoid false positives. For example, if you drink alcohol or are sick one night, your breathing will change, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have sleep apnea. “By analyzing 30 days, we ensure that if we notify the user, we have a very high degree of confidence that there is a real risk,” Dr. Bianchi stated.
If the watch detects consistent patterns of moderate to severe apnea after a month of analysis, it will send a simple, direct notification. The technology isn’t intended to replace a doctor, but to act as an early warning system, prompting users to seek professional help. For Colombian users, the feature’s practical utility lies in facilitating medical consultations. The Health app allows users to export a detailed PDF report showing when disturbances occurred and explaining the clinical validation of the data, streamlining the diagnostic process and providing doctors with quality primary information to determine if a polysomnography (the standard clinical exam) is necessary.
Apple is also expanding health capabilities beyond the wrist, integrating a powerful hearing health tool into the AirPods Pro 2 and 3. These earbuds now allow users to perform a clinically valid hearing test.
In a matter of minutes, and using an iPhone, users can obtain an audiogram similar to one performed in a soundproof booth, detecting early hearing loss that often goes unnoticed.
The audiometry test is straightforward but rigorous: the earbuds play a series of tones at different frequencies and volumes, and the user taps the screen when they hear them. The result creates a personalized hearing profile that not only informs about ear health but also automatically adjusts the sound of music, calls, and movies to compensate for frequencies the user may no longer hear well.
To activate these features in Colombia, users must update their iPhone and watch operating systems to the latest versions. The apnea detection feature is configured within the ‘Breath’ tab in the Health app, requiring users to wear the watch while sleeping and enable ‘Sleep Mode.’ For audiometry, simply navigate to the AirPods settings when connected to the phone.
These advancements mark a new era in digital preventative medicine. Dr. Bianchi summarizes the philosophy behind these innovations: “We saw an opportunity: is there a way to use a device you already wear in your daily life to help you become aware that you might have this condition?” The answer, it seems, is on our wrists and in our ears, offering data that could literally save lives.
By José Carlos García Rico
