TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Apple Inc. on Wednesday launched new health features for the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro in Taiwan, following approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The sleep apnea notification feature is now available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Using the device’s accelerometer, the feature monitors subtle wrist movements associated with breathing interruptions during sleep.

It tracks respiratory disturbances over 30 days. If consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea are detected, the watch will notify the user and recommend seeking medical advice.

Sleep apnea is a condition marked by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to oxygen deprivation. As blood oxygen levels drop, the brain prompts the body to resume breathing, often without the sleeper realizing.

This repeated disruption prevents deep rest and keeps the brain in a heightened state of alertness. Over time, such oxygen deprivation can lead to serious health problems, including damage to the brain and heart blood vessels and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, according to the Changhua Christian Hospital.

Apple also introduced a new hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro 2, aimed at users with mild to moderate hearing loss. It dynamically amplifies surrounding sounds in real time.

Additionally, a new hearing test function, available through AirPods Pro paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad, allows users to assess their hearing. After the test, users receive a report summarizing hearing levels, classification, and tailored recommendations for managing hearing health.