AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Health Features Hands-On

While the latestAirPods 4unveiled atApple ’s Glowtime eventdidn’t really impress us , another sound - tie in announcement did : theAirPods Pros ’ audience healthupdate . Apple announced at its latest event that its two - year - oldAirPods Pro 2are incur three hearing wellness features .

See AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon

First , they can double as hearing aids for folks with modest to moderate hearing exit . Second , they now have a brassy speech sound reduction characteristic , which , as the name suggests , flex exceptionally cheap and harsh noise ( at a concert , for model ) a mountain pass down so your ear do n’t undergo impairment . Third , you may take a hearing mental test on your iPhone and summate its results to the iOS Health app . The examination will inform you about the state of your audience and automatically turn on the hearing aids to have if you cogitate you need them .

Airpods Pro 2 (2)

Photo: Andrew Liszewski | Gizmodo

Pre-requisites for the AirPods Pro 2’s Hearing Health Features

To get to the hearing wellness feature on the AirPods Pro 2 , you ’d need to be on the latest iOS version , iOS 18.1 . This should n’t be an issue unless you ’re using an iPhone release before the iPhone XR . Every iPhone released after the iPhone XR and the iPhone SE 2nd and tertiary contemporaries are compatible with iOS 18.1 .

The AirPods Pro 2 you corrupt two years ago are good to escape the new hearing wellness features . Apple did n’t make any product change ; it simply gave the 2022 AirPods Pro 2 the functionality in a microcode update . Firmware updates are automatonlike , so there ’s not much you demand to do there . This is both a salutary and a bad thing . It ’s good because it does n’t take any effort from your end , and it ’s high-risk because if it does n’t forge , you ca n’t impel an update .

Troubleshooting Tips

Apple promise that the firmware update would come about automatically , as it always does , and that we would need to do nothing . But here are a few troubleshooting tips that could facilitate . First , check that you ’re oniOS 18.1 . you could do this in configurations > General > About > iOS Version . If you see an older version , head to configurations > General > Software Update to update it .

The latest AirPods firmware update that facilitate all the hearing wellness lineament is 7B19 . To control if you ’re on this version , head to options > your AirPods option at the top > scroll down until you see Firmware and agree the act afterward . If you see the buds did n’t update automatically , connect them to a battery charger while connected to your Wi - Fi . That should help update the firmware .

If that does n’t work , heavily resetting your AirPods is another option . To do this , bob both in the sheath , wait for 30 seconds , and flick the lid open . Then , constrict and curb the pairing button at the back of the case for 15 seconds until you see the midget LED light in front of the showcase dash gold and then turn whitened . The reboot is done as soon as the light turns white .

Hearing Test Features Settings

Screenshot: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo

Sometimes , your version is coiffe to the latest one , but there are other small updates that need commendation . It make me a while to reach the auditory modality health features because both my iOS and microcode were up to date , but there were a few pending updates that I had to manually corroborate . Make certain you ’ve thoroughly checked out the Software Update page ; there ’s no work need there .

How to Take the Hearing Test

If you ’ve successfully readied your phone and AirPods for the hearing test , you should see the features in options > AirPods Pro > right under the on/off switch option for disturbance control modes . Tap on “ Take a Hearing trial ” and keep up the instructions . The test should take about 10 minutes to complete , and you have to be in a quiet surroundings throughout the trial . Make certain you follow this principle because around eight minutes into my mental test , I had to begin all over since it discover the auditory sensation of the cereal packet on my breakfast tray . When I tried taking the test again on another day , the preschoolers in the vacation spot the right way next to my house were loud enough to put out the Test god again . So , I switch to my seam for a while and covered myself with a large blanket for the entirety of the test to submerge out the sound of those darn kids .

The exam begins with a light and simple questionnaire and guides you through the next steps , which include checking your AirPods fit to see if they ’re snug enough . When the test starts , you must tap the screen whenever you hear a sound . It ’ll test both your ears individually and inform you when the test is complete .

How to Read the Results

The solvent are displayed as a graph and respective dBHL ( decibels earreach level ) for each auricle , along with a shortsighted comment for folk who do n’t know what to do with those figure . I got “ Little to No Loss ” for both ears ( gratefully ) , along with a 6dBHL for my left ear and 5dBHL for the right . you may exploit on “ Show Details ” to learn how the dBHLS workplace .

If your hearing turns out fine , the result varlet will tell you “ No change Needed . ” If it indicates mild to severe hearing departure , it will enable you to expend the sense of hearing aid features . you could also go into configurations > AirPods Pro > hear help to turn on the find out aid and spiritualist assist features . The former will double your AirPods as discover aid to advance voices and sounds around you , while media assist will make adjustments to improve the clarity of euphony , videos , and call .

The third find out wellness feature , Hearing Protection , will automatically be enabled as part of the update , but you’re able to double - check that at preferences > AirPods Pro > listen Protection > Loud Sound Reduction .

Hearing Test Instructions

Screenshot: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo

you could take a fresh mental test whenever you desire , and your iPhone will automatically utilise that data to see if it needs to start the hearing assistance feature for you .

AirPodsAirPods Pro 2AppleEarbudsHearingHearing lossWireless Headphones

Get the best tech , science , and finish tidings in your inbox daily .

News from the future , delivered to your present .