Turn your AirPods Pro 2 into a hearing aid: Test and track hearing health in iOS 18.1
Latest Apple mobile software updates — iOS18.1 — includes new hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2 earphone. These features include a clinically validated hearing test to help users assess their hearing health and a hearing aid mode that allows the Pro 2 earbuds to function as a hearing aid without prescribe.
If you’re curious about Apple’s new hearing health features, how to complete a hearing test, or anything to do with these AirPods acting as hearing aids, keep reading for answers. answer your questions.
To use AirPods Pro 2 as an over-the-counter hearing aid, users must first complete a hearing test to determine their level of hearing loss. The test can be accessed on their iPhone in AirPods settings or in the Health app under the Hearing tab.
Users can also take the Apple hearing test on a compatible iPad. Additionally, users can import the results of an existing hearing test performed by an audio health specialist. If you take the test on your iPhone or iPad, your AirPods Pro 2 must be connected to the device and placed securely in your ears.
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After users complete the hearing test, they will receive an average level of hearing loss in each ear. If the user notes at least a 26dB reduction in either ear, their AirPods Pro 2 will recommend hearing aid mode. Users can still activate hearing aid mode if the results show that the level of hearing loss is below 26dB.
Apple’s hearing test requires users to place AirPods Pro 2 in their ears and sit in a quiet environment. Once the test begins, AirPods will automatically turn on noise cancellation to allow users to hear prompts, and iPhone will go into Do Not Disturb mode to limit distractions.
The user will then hear a series of high and low beeps and be prompted to touch the screen when they hear the beeps. Each ear is tested during the hearing test, and the results are recorded in the Health app when the test is complete.
However, Maddie Maliszewska, an audiologist at Enhanced hearing carestates that at-home hearing tests may be less reliable, accurate, and comprehensive than those performed in a clinical setting. At-home tests cannot account for any obstructions in the ear and are too simple to determine which area of the ear is affected and causing hearing loss. The best way users can make their home hearing test more accurate is to clean their ears before taking it.
“Testing done through AirPods also only tests ‘Air Conduction’ capabilities,” she said. “To get a full picture of someone’s hearing loss, a bone conduction test must also be completed. Bone conduction testing allows us to know whether the hearing loss is Therefore, if the hearing test is not fully completed, we cannot determine whether the problem is in the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear.”
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Cindy McManus, audiologist Zepp is cleara hearing health solutions company, Maliszewska reiterated. McManus said hearing tests performed by an audiologist can determine the type of hearing loss a person has and whether they need prescription hearing aids or medical intervention.
“The iPhone hearing test should be considered a guide to adjusting the software, not a diagnosis of hearing loss,” she said.
The only Apple earbuds that are compatible with hearing aid mode are the AirPods Pro 2. Hearing aid mode is available on all iPad running iPadOS 18.1, iPhone running iOS 18.1 and Mac running Sequoia MacOS and later. Make sure your device is updated with the latest software as these features are not available in previous software versions. The AirPods themselves will update after you update your iPad, iPhone, or Mac.
Unfortunately, the AirPods Pro 2’s hearing aid mode only works with Apple devices. However, older iPads like the iPad Air 3 and older iPhones like the iPhone 11 are compatible with Apple’s hearing aid mode.
Android users who don’t want to switch to iOS for their daily phone controls can choose an older iPhone or iPad to use as a secondary device now. Before you can access Apple hearing health features on these older devices, make sure they are updated to the latest software.
Because of their age, you can find these devices at lower prices, and refurbished models are frequently on sale.
According to Apple, the hearing aid mode is for adults 18 years and older. Additionally, all over-the-counter hearing aids, including AirPods Pro 2, are best suited for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, McManus says that using AirPods as a hearing aid is not a long-term solution to hearing loss but is a great start.
“I hope that the AirPods update will encourage more people to explore using hearing aids,” she said. “While they would be suitable for situational or occasional use, the battery life would not support their use as a long-term solution.”
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Maliszewska agrees: People feel more comfortable and relaxed when completing hearing tests at home, and AirPods doubling as hearing aids are an important first step in addressing hearing loss.
“This is a good first step if someone completes this test in the comfort of their own home and they are told they have hearing loss,” she said. “Hopefully it will remind them to make an appointment to complete more detailed testing.”
There’s no harm in checking your ears with your AirPods Pro 2 and iPhone, even if you don’t think you have noticeable hearing loss. Many people unintentionally damage their hearing every day by listening to music too loudly or attending concerts and sporting events without ear protection. A home hearing test can tell you about your hearing health and help determine whether it’s time to consult a doctor.
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According to McManus, maintaining hearing health is just as important as maintaining physical and mental health, and poor hearing health can lead to poor mental health.
“Most people don’t understand the importance of hearing health, but studies show that untreated hearing loss is linked to other health conditions, such as ataxia,” she says. memory”. “It’s clear that hearing health plays a role in overall health.”
You can access detailed information about your hearing health on the compatible Health app on your Apple device under the Hearing tab. Here you can see the noise level of the headphones and the environment. Headphone noise levels are more accurate when users connect Apple or Beats headphones to a compatible device, and the volume levels of other headphones are estimated based on the volume settings on your device.
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Environmental noise level measures the loudness of sounds in your environment. This feature is most commonly used with iPhone and Apple Watch because they are the easiest to carry. Apple Watch notifies you if your environment reaches potentially harmful noise levels.
