Introduction to AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Feature

In September 2024, the FDA authorized Apple's over-the-counter hearing aid software, allowing the AirPods Pro 2 to function as hearing aids for adults with mild or moderate forms of hearing loss. This innovation marks the first OTC hearing aid software device and joins a growing list of other OTC hearing aids available without prescription since late 2022.

At its fall 2024 iPhone event, Apple announced several hearing health features, including the hearing aid feature, active Hearing Protection, and a clinically validated Hearing Test. These features aim to provide consumers with a more approachable and affordable option for treating hearing loss.

How the Hearing Aid Feature Works

To use the hearing aid feature, users must first take Apple's Hearing Test, a clinical-grade hearing test based on pure-tone audiometry that takes about 5 minutes to complete with the AirPods Pro 2 and a compatible iPhone or iPad. Upon completing the test, users will receive a summary of their hearing test results, including an audiogram and a classification of their hearing loss, along with recommendations.

The results from the hearing test can be used to turn the AirPods Pro 2 into a hearing aid. According to Apple, the feature enables personalized dynamic adjustments so users have the sounds around them boosted in real-time. The hearing test findings will also be automatically applied to phone calls, music, movies, and games across all of the user's devices without needing to adjust the settings themselves, known as the Media Assist feature.

Availability and Compatibility

The Hearing Aid feature and Hearing Test became available in fall 2024. The features are available on the AirPods Pro 2 through a firmware update and require pairing with a compatible iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 and later. However, certain features may not be available in all regions or languages, although over 100 countries and regions, including the US, Germany, and Japan, have access.

Target Audience

Both features are intended for people aged 18 and older, with the Hearing Aid specifically designed for individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The incorporation of hearing aid capabilities into the AirPods Pro 2 may help reduce barriers to daily communication for the estimated 1.5 billion people with hearing loss globally, the majority of whom have milder symptoms.

Hearing Protection Feature

Apple also added Hearing Protection to AirPods Pro 2 by default across all listening modes. This feature allows the ear tips to provide passive noise reduction while the H2 chip actively reduces louder, more sporadic noise at 48,000 times per second. The multi-band high dynamic range algorithm is designed to make sounds at live events like concerts remain natural and clear on the AirPods Pro 2.