Apple’s AirPods Pro Deliver on Hearing Health with Impressive Features

Apple's new hearing health features for the AirPods Pro 2, set to launch with iOS 18.1, are poised to revolutionize hearing care by offering clinical-grade hearing aid functionality, a hearing test, and enhanced hearing protection. These features, available through one of the world’s most popular earbuds, bring accessible hearing support to a broad audience. This update could reshape how society views and interacts with hearing aids, reducing the stigma often associated with their use.

The addition of hearing aid capabilities means people may soon wear their AirPods Pro 2 not just for entertainment but also for essential hearing assistance. This could challenge current social norms, where wearing earbuds in social situations is often seen as rude. However, with earbuds now serving a dual purpose, people will need to adjust their perceptions, especially as transparency modes in devices like the AirPods already allow users to remain aware of their surroundings while keeping their earbuds in.

I had the opportunity to preview Apple’s new features, and the experience was eye-opening. Like many, I hadn't had my hearing checked in years—Apple cites that 80% of U.S. adults haven’t done so in over five years. Apple’s hearing test, now easily accessible on an iPhone, can change that, bringing hearing care into the digital age.

An interesting shift is that some people have already been using AirPods Pro for hearing protection at concerts, a use case Apple hadn’t endorsed until now. With the upcoming update, hearing protection will be a standard feature, active across all modes—whether noise cancellation, transparency, or adaptive audio. Apple’s advanced algorithms will ensure the natural sound of live events is preserved while protecting your ears from potentially harmful sound levels.

Though the AirPods Pro 2 can handle a wide range of noises, they do have limits. They’re not designed to shield against extremely loud, sudden sounds like fireworks or gunfire. Prolonged exposure to noises over 110 decibels, which can occur in some clubs or concerts, is also beyond their capacity, so users should remain mindful of their surroundings.

The new hearing test feature on iOS 18.1 is user-friendly, but there are a few things to note. The test, which adapts dynamically to ensure unpredictability, plays tones through Apple’s stock silicone tips. Aftermarket tips may affect the accuracy of the results. The test can also be emotionally taxing, especially during periods of silence where no tones are played for several seconds. However, visual cues on the screen provide reassurance that the test is progressing.

The test revealed that my left ear had slightly more hearing loss than my right, a difference I hadn’t noticed before. This level of precision shows the value of integrating hearing assessments directly into everyday devices like the AirPods Pro 2. Results are stored in the Health app and can be exported for further analysis or to share with healthcare providers.

This latest development from Apple not only enhances the AirPods Pro 2 but also highlights the company’s commitment to promoting hearing health awareness. With features that blend everyday convenience with clinical-grade functionality, the AirPods Pro 2 could set a new standard for personal audio devices, making hearing care accessible, discreet, and effective for millions of people.