Along with the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10, at its annual fall event on Monday, Apple announced that its AirPods Pro 2 will soon spotlight hearing health as the “world’s first all-in-one hearing health experience.” In addition to adding active Hearing Protection and a clinically validated Hearing Test feature, AirPods Pro 2 will also double as an over-the-counter hearing aid.
The AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid will be the first-of-its-kind, software-based device that aims to make hearing assistance more accessible and easier to adopt, all at an approachable price point, Apple said.
Here’s everything we know about this major health upgrade coming to the AirPods Pro 2.
First, you’ll take the Hearing Test
For users with mild to moderate hearing loss, the AirPods Pro 2 will add an over-the-counter Hearing Aid capability. But first, you have to take Apple’s Hearing Test, which is a clinical-grade hearing test based on pure-tone audiometry that takes about five minutes to complete with the AirPods Pro 2 and a compatible iPhone or iPad.
People have already been able to upload hearing tests to the Health app to help hack their AirPods into hearing enhancers, but Apple’s inclusion of its own validated test may make it more likely people use the hearing health features.
Upon completing the test, users will be presented with a summary of their hearing test results, which will provide an audiogram (a graph showing hearing test results) and a number corresponding to hearing loss in each ear, along with a classification and recommendations. This data will be securely stored in the Health app, where it can also be shared with your healthcare provider.
If you already have an audiogram available from a hearing health professional, Apple said that you can use that audiogram to program the Hearing Aid feature.
