Last month’s significant audio announcement at Apple’s iPhone event was not the release of the AirPods 4, but rather the introduction of a comprehensive range of hearing health features for the AirPods Pro 2 alongside iOS 18. Apple’s approach focuses on prevention, awareness, and assistance, featuring hearing protection, hearing tests, and hearing aid capabilities available directly through an iPhone.
Since the features were announced in early September, there has been considerable interest from individuals who do not typically use Apple products, particularly regarding the hearing test and hearing aid functionalities. These new tools have the potential to provide essential information and potentially transformative aid to users worldwide, allowing them to address a stigmatized condition without needing a doctor’s visit.
Shortly after Apple’s announcement, the FDA approved the hearing test and hearing aid features. Following guidelines established in a 2022 decision, the FDA permits adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to acquire hearing assistive devices without a prescription or professional consultation. Apple describes its software-based test as “clinically validated” and developed using 150,000 real-world audiograms and millions of simulations, which has received the FDA’s endorsement.
The full suite of hearing health tools was released this week with iOS 18.1 and a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2. These enhancements have been described as potentially transformative for earbuds, albeit in unexpected ways.
For users who do not undertake Apple’s hearing test or lack hearing loss, the hearing protection feature on the AirPods Pro 2 offers substantial benefits, especially in loud environments. Despite initially promoting the use of AirPods Pro for ear protection, Apple had not officially recommended them for extended use due to their lack of certification for specific safety standards. However, the latest firmware update includes improved algorithms for loud noise reduction, maintaining sound quality while enhancing protection.
The AirPods Pro 2 have been used at concerts in transparency mode to mitigate sound to a safer level with minimal compromise to audio quality. They are now positioned to offer a high-fidelity concert experience, matching the performance of various earplugs with filters. Even for everyday activities like subway commutes, lawn-mowing, and sports events, Apple claims the hearing protection feature is beneficial. However, the feature is not recommended for extremely loud impulse noises or continuous noise above 110 dBA. The AirPods Pro 2 can also provide up to 10 dB of passive noise reduction when not in use.
The hearing protection can be deployed across transparency, adaptive, and noise-canceling modes, with the latter two offering optimal environmental noise reduction and extending exposure limits. In testing with the new tools, transparency mode continued to deliver clear sound, while ANC mode brought out more details in certain music styles. Verification with the Noise app on Apple Watch showed effective reduction of exposure to loud venue sounds, aligning with Apple’s specifications.
Ensuring a proper fit with correctly sized ear tips, validated via a fit test in the AirPods settings, is crucial for effective hearing protection.
Regarding hearing tests, Apple offers a tool set to become widely used. Regular hearing tests are often neglected unless prompted by noticeable hearing decline. Apple’s quick, easy, and private tool enhances awareness of hearing health. The test, lasting around five to seven minutes, appears in AirPods settings and Apple Health once iOS 18.1 is installed, and checks for a quiet surrounding and proper AirPods Pro fit before beginning.
Users receive immediate results upon test completion. The software classifies results into several categories, from “Little to No Loss” up to “Profound Loss,” helping track hearing changes and providing guidance if necessary. PDFs of test results can be exported for further consultation.
Apple’s hearing aid tool, suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, requires users to be 18 or older and offers customization to match individual needs. Settings can be adjusted via Apple devices, and the AirPods will retain the hearing profile independently of the iPhone’s presence.
The hearing aid feature functions exclusively in transparency mode but can coexist with hearing protection. Apple notes the feature’s battery life and recommends charging intervals throughout the day.
The societal normalization of wearing AirPods all the time may increase with their new dual function as hearing aids, alongside their existing audio capabilities at concerts and other activities. This shift might mitigate the stigma associated with traditional hearing aids, offering users a discreet and multifunctional alternative.