Apple Inc. is likely to release a new charging case with a USB-C port for the AirPods Pro, simultaneously with the upcoming release of the iPhone 15 series this fall, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.

In a recent newsletter titled “Power On,” the analyst stated that this change aligns with the transition from the Lightning port to the USB-C port, which is expected to take place across the iPhone 15 series over the course of this year.

Previously, in March, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had mentioned that the company planned to release a second generation of the AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case during this year. However, it was not clear whether there would be other changes to the AirPods Pro hardware for 2023.

Regarding software, Gurman revealed that Apple is also working on a new capability for the AirPods Pro, designed to detect potential hearing issues. This new hearing test feature, which is expected to be included in iOS 17, is accompanied by other AirPods features and will play various sounds to allow the AirPods to assess the user’s hearing ability.

In addition, Gurman confirmed previous rumors about the development of new health sensors for future versions of the AirPods. One of these sensors is the ability to measure body temperature through the ear canal, which is considered more accurate than measuring temperature from the wrist, as is done in the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra models, especially during the user’s sleep.

According to Gurman, Apple is also investigating how the AirPods can function as hearing aids with enhanced features, focusing on existing capabilities such as Conversation Boost and Live Listen. It should be noted that neither of these two features has yet received approval but with the FDA easing the rules for hearing aid purchase last year, it appears to have encouraged Apple to hire engineers from traditional hearing aid manufacturers and to take advantage of the market opening.