Apple’s AirPods Pro (especially the 2nd generation) include a powerful Hearing Aid Mode designed to assist users with mild to moderate hearing loss. This feature leverages the AirPods’ advanced microphones and processing capabilities to amplify sounds, improve speech clarity, and provide a personalized hearing experience without needing a traditional hearing aid device.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up and use Hearing Aid Mode on your AirPods Pro.
What is Hearing Aid Mode?
Hearing Aid Mode on AirPods Pro uses Apple’s Hearing Health features to:
- Amplify ambient sounds and voices around you.
- Enhance clarity for conversations and media.
- Provide customizable sound amplification tailored to your hearing profile.
- Offer a discreet, convenient alternative to traditional hearing aids for mild hearing loss.
Requirements
- AirPods Pro 2nd generation (AirPods Pro 2).
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later.
- Compatible Apple device with the latest software updates.
How to Set Up Hearing Aid Mode on AirPods Pro
Step 1: Connect Your AirPods Pro
- Ensure your AirPods Pro are paired with your iPhone or iPad.
- Place them in your ears.
Step 2: Access Hearing Settings
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
- Tap AirPods or Hearing Devices (depending on your iOS version).
Step 3: Enable Hearing Aid Mode
- Look for the Hearing Aid Mode or Live Listen option.
- Toggle it On.
Step 4: Customize Your Hearing Profile
- You may be prompted to take a personalized hearing test.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate sound amplification based on your hearing needs.
- Alternatively, you can adjust amplification manually or use presets.
Step 5: Use Media Assist (Optional)
- Media Assist enhances the clarity of music, videos, and calls.
- Enable it in the same Accessibility settings to improve media sound quality.
Using Hearing Aid Mode
- Once enabled, your AirPods Pro will amplify ambient sounds and voices around you.
- You can adjust volume and sound balance through Control Center or Settings.
- Use the Live Listen feature to focus on specific sounds or conversations by positioning your iPhone closer to the sound source.
Tips for Best Experience
- Keep your AirPods Pro firmware updated to access the latest hearing features.
- Use the Transparency Mode in combination with Hearing Aid Mode for natural sound blending.
- Regularly retake the hearing test to keep the profile accurate.
- Consult with an audiologist if you have moderate to severe hearing loss.
Limitations
- Hearing Aid Mode is designed for mild to moderate hearing loss and is not a replacement for professional hearing aids.
- It requires an iPhone or iPad nearby to process sounds.
- Battery life may be impacted when using continuous amplification.
For more detailed information and troubleshooting, visit Apple’s official support page on using the Hearing Aid feature with AirPods Pro 2 here.
By enabling Hearing Aid Mode on your AirPods Pro, you can enjoy clearer conversations and improved sound awareness in daily life, all through your favorite wireless earbuds.
Key Takeaways
- iOS 18 introduced a specialized Hearing Aid Mode for current AirPods Pro without requiring new hardware.
- This feature extends Apple’s commitment to hearing health and accessibility features within its ecosystem.
- The technology could make hearing assistance more affordable and accessible compared to traditional hearing aids.
Overview of Hearing Aid Features in iOS
Apple’s iOS 18 update has introduced an important new accessibility feature for AirPods Pro users called “Hearing Aid Mode.” This feature transforms AirPods Pro into functional hearing aids, potentially benefiting millions of people with mild to moderate hearing loss by providing a more affordable solution for hearing assistance technology.
Previously, AirPods Pro included features such as Conversation Boost and Live Listen, which help users better hear conversations in noisy environments. The new Hearing Aid Mode is expected to enhance these capabilities further, potentially meeting regulatory requirements to serve as a legitimate alternative to traditional hearing aids.
Additionally, Apple is rumored to be developing a third-generation model for early 2025 that may work optimally with Hearing Aid Mode. This development follows the FDA’s establishment of a new category for over-the-counter hearing aids in 2022, which has opened the door for tech companies like Apple to offer more accessible solutions in the hearing health market.
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 now offers FDA-authorized hearing aid capabilities through iOS 18. These new features transform regular earbuds into assistive hearing devices, bridging the gap between consumer audio products and medical hearing aids.
Evolution of Accessibility in AirPods
AirPods have gradually expanded their accessibility features over several iOS generations. Before iOS 18, AirPods Pro offered Conversation Boost, which helped users hear people talking in noisy environments. They also included Live Listen, allowing iPhones to work as microphones that send sound to AirPods.
The new Hearing Aid feature in AirPods Pro 2 represents a significant advancement. It’s designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The system includes a Hearing Test that evaluates a user’s hearing capabilities and customizes sound amplification based on the results.
Users need:
- AirPods Pro 2 with latest firmware
- iPhone or iPad running iOS 18/iPadOS 18 or later
- Age requirement: 18 years or older
Regulatory Aspects and Product Classification
The AirPods Pro 2 hearing features have received FDA authorization, marking a milestone in consumer electronics. This authorization places AirPods Pro 2 in a new category that bridges personal audio devices and medical hearing aids.
The FDA created a new classification for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids in 2022, enabling devices to be sold without prescriptions for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Apple’s implementation meets these regulatory requirements while maintaining the convenience of everyday earbuds.
The hearing features became available with the iOS 18.1 update, which was released in October. This update transformed AirPods Pro 2 from primarily entertainment devices into dual-purpose accessibility tools that can function as both premium earbuds and hearing assistance devices.
Technical Implementation and Impact
The new Hearing Aid Mode on AirPods Pro will leverage advanced audio technology and specialized software integration. The feature builds on existing capabilities while introducing FDA-compliant specifications for hearing assistance.
Directional Microphone Technology
AirPods Pro’s implementation of hearing aid mode in iOS 18 will likely enhance the existing directional microphone system. The earbuds already use beamforming microphones that focus on picking up sound from specific directions.
This technology helps filter background noise and amplify sounds users want to hear. The current Live Listen feature, introduced in iOS 12, already demonstrates basic capabilities in this area.
For hearing aid functionality, Apple will need to refine these directional capabilities to meet FDA requirements for over-the-counter hearing aids established in 2022. This would include:
- Enhanced sound processing algorithms for better speech recognition
- Customizable directional patterns to adjust for different environments
- Increased sensitivity for soft sounds while preventing loud sound amplification
The microphones will likely work with the H2 chip in AirPods Pro 2 to process audio in real-time, making split-second adjustments based on the environment.
Compatibility and Support Across Devices
The hearing aid mode is expected to debut with iOS 18, but hardware compatibility remains a key question. Current information suggests the feature will work with existing AirPods Pro 2, though optimal performance may come with the third generation AirPods Pro rumored for early 2025.
Device compatibility will likely include:
- iPhone models running iOS 18
- iPad models with the corresponding iPadOS
- Possibly Mac computers with appropriate Bluetooth specifications
Users may need to complete a hearing test through the Health app to calibrate the feature to their specific hearing profile. This would enable personalized amplification settings.
The cross-device functionality might allow users to start the hearing aid mode on one device and seamlessly transition to another, maintaining their settings through iCloud synchronization.
