By: Nick Gambino
Starting next week, you will be able to use the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. Apple announced the upcoming feature back in September, but now it’s finally here.
The software update will allow those wearing the AirPods Pro 2 to take a hearing test right then and there. According to Apple, 80% of the adults in the U.S. haven’t had a hearing test in the five years or more. I know I haven’t. It’s not something I’ve even thought to do.
But this new update from Apple makes it so easy, so why wouldn’t you do it? You don’t need to wait until you have some symptom that suggests you should get your ears checked. After a quick few minutes, you’ll be set up and ready to go.
Start the test in a quiet space so there aren’t any interruptions and you can hear every noise produced in your AirPods. Your phone will play a variety of audio tones at different volume levels and in different frequencies. You’ll interact with your phone screen, tapping when you hear the sound. This will go on for several minutes, moving from one ear to the other ear.
Once you’re done, your hearing test score and results will save to the Health app in your phone. You can then share that with your audiologist or keep it for your own edification. You can continue to take the test as many times as you like. For example, you might want to take it every 6-12 months and compare the results.
In addition to diagnostic testing, you can start using the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid thanks to an FDA approval.
“After you take a hearing test, your AirPods Pro are transformed into a personalized hearing aid, boosting the specific sounds you need in real time, like parts of speech, or elements within your environment,” Apple VP of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai, said of the new feature.
Rounding out the AirPods 2 ear health capabilities, they will also provide protection for your ears at all times helping to drown out loud sounds and abusive noises.
