The second-generation AirPods Pro already had hearing health features, but iOS 18 expands on those tools, bringing hearing testing, hearing aids, and hearing protection right to your earbuds. Apple’s three-pronged approach to hearing health spans awareness, support, and prevention, and it all starts with a “clinically validated” hearing test you can take yourself.
Apple has developed its own version of the hearing test we probably all took as kids: sit in a booth and raise your hand when you hear a sound. Instead of a booth, bulky equipment, or a trip to the doctor, the company is offering AirPods Pro and an iPhone. As long as you’re in a quiet environment, you can take a test just like you would at a doctor’s office, using just your earbuds and your smartphone. Here’s how it works:
From your iPhone’s settings menu, tap AirPods Pro settings and find the hearing health section. First, the software checks whether the fit of your AirPods provides a good seal for the test and whether you’re in a quiet enough place for the technician to provide reliable results. When the hearing test begins, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is enabled and you tap the iPhone screen when you hear sound from both the left and right ears. Apple developed the quick and easy test using 150,000 real-world hearing tests and millions of simulations. But most importantly, the company says it created an accurate test.
Once the test is complete, your phone will instantly display the results, showing the level of hearing loss, if any, in both ears. If you think your hearing loss is mild but you need help with certain frequencies, the software may recommend fine-tuning your Media Assist settings for entertainment audio and calls. If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, Hearing Test may suggest using AirPods Pro hearing aid features to improve your daily life.
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After the iPhone 16 launch event, I was given a brief run-through of the hearing test, which, as Apple says, is quick and easy to complete. To be clear, I didn’t actually take the real test, just a practice test with fake results, but every step of the process was explained to me in my abbreviated session. Overall, the hearing test should take about five minutes to complete.
Your hearing test results are stored in the Health app, where you can see changes over time. You can retake the test as many times as you like, access hearing health articles, and download your results with just a tap. It’s also important to note that hearing aids are designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. If the hearing test determines that you have a severe hearing loss, the software will recommend that you see an audiologist for further guidance.
Hearing Aid is a software-based solution that boosts certain frequencies to enhance certain sounds on AirPods Pro. It’s the first of its kind submitted to the FDA, and it gives you the tools to customize amplification, balance, and tone anytime in Settings. This should help people with mild to moderate hearing loss better hear conversations and environmental sounds, as well as improve music, videos, and phone calls.
The hearing aids and hearing tests will be available this fall as part of the iOS 18 update, pending FDA approval.
Catch up on all the latest news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!
