Apple announced a handful of new products during its "It’s Glowtime" event this month. While the iPhone 16 lineup grabbed most of the attention, the most intriguing announcement came from a different product line.

The wireless earbuds, designed for listening to music on the go, now double as a medical device that doctors and hearing experts say could be a game changer. The devices address a number of problems that often deter Americans who could benefit from hearing assistance, namely stigma and cost, experts told CBS MoneyWatch.