AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Examination Guidelines
In a significant development, Apple has expanded the capabilities of its AirPods Pro 2 with the addition of hearing health features. These features, designed to help users with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, can save users a considerable amount of money compared to purchasing traditional hearing aids.
The Hearing Test feature, a key component of these new capabilities, works by playing a series of audio signals through the earbuds to assess your hearing ability directly via your iPhone or iPad. This creates a personalized hearing profile that adjusts sound amplification according to your specific hearing thresholds.
To perform the test, follow these key steps:
- Put your AirPods Pro 2 in your ears and ensure they are connected to a compatible iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 18.1 or later.
- Open the Settings app on your device. Alternatively, you can access the test through the Health app.
- Tap the name of your AirPods Pro 2 near the top of the Settings screen.
- Select "Take a Hearing Test" and then tap "Get Started."
- Answer a few initial questions such as age (used only for test customization and not shared with Apple), then tap "Next."
- Follow the guided instructions to listen to soft sounds played through each earbud, confirming when you hear them.
- Upon completion, the test generates a hearing profile tailored to your specific hearing thresholds.
- This profile programs your AirPods Pro 2 to amplify sounds appropriately, especially in the Transparency mode, effectively functioning like an FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aid for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Additional features include the option to upload an existing audiogram to the Health app to customize the profile further, as well as controls to adjust amplification levels gradually for comfort.
The hearing test typically takes about 10 minutes and should be done in a quiet environment with fully charged AirPods for optimal accuracy.
To activate the Hearing Aid function, navigate to Settings > AirPods > Hearing Health > Hearing Assistance > Adjustments and enable the Media Assist option. To apply audio adjustments to music and videos, turn on the Adjust Music and Video option within the Media Assist settings.
Media Assist can be adjusted or turned off through the Settings app as needed. It's essential to note that the hearing test can only measure hearing loss up to 80dBHL, and it does not diagnose or treat any hearing conditions. For the latest information about the new hearing capabilities, visit Apple's support page.
With the addition of hearing health features, the AirPods Pro 2 now offer a personalized and clinical-grade boost to the clarity of music and calls, making them a convenient and accessible solution for those with hearing loss. The Hearing Aid feature is now widely available and can be checked for availability in your country.
[1] Apple Inc. (2024). AirPods Pro 2: Hearing Health Features. Retrieved from https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT213100 [2] Apple Inc. (2024). How to Take a Hearing Test with AirPods Pro 2. Retrieved from https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT213101 [3] Apple Inc. (2024). Adjusting Hearing Aid Settings on AirPods Pro 2. Retrieved from https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT213102 [4] Apple Inc. (2024). Understanding Hearing Loss and the AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid. Retrieved from https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT213103
- The AirPods Pro 2, with their new hearing health features, position themselves as a cost-effective alternative to traditional hearing aids, offering a clinical-grade boost to the clarity of music and calls.
- For individuals with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, the Hearing Test feature in the AirPods Pro 2 can save both time and money, as it allows users to create a personalized hearing profile directly from their iPhone or iPad.
- The hearing health features in the AirPods Pro 2, however, should not be considered a replacement for professional medical treatment, as the Hearing Test can only measure hearing loss up to 80dBHL and does not diagnose or treat any medical conditions.
