Yes, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 can function as clinical-grade hearing aids for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, especially after a software update made them TGA-approved in Australia, allowing for personalized hearing tests and sound amplification through an iPhone/iPad. While they offer significant accessibility and cost savings compared to traditional aids, experts note they aren't a complete replacement for severe loss but are powerful tools for improving speech clarity and situational awareness.
AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 support a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
Let's be clear: AirPods Pro 2 are not designed to replace prescription hearing aids. At best, they offer an entry point for individuals curious about amplification or exploring solutions for mild hearing loss. But they don't match the sophistication, personalization, or adaptability of prescription hearing aids.
They're not an option for every type of hearing loss.
Like all over-the-counter hearing aids, the AirPods are intended strictly for adults 18+ with mild to moderate hearing loss. People with more severe hearing loss should see an audiologist, Palmer says.
Install a Hearing Aid App: Download a compatible app that can help amplify sound and reduce background noise. Pair Your Earbuds with Your Device: Ensure your earbuds are properly paired with your smartphone or tablet. Configure the App Settings: Open the app and adjust the settings to suit your hearing needs.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices. Tap the name of your hearing device under MFi Hearing Devices. Tap Start Live Listen. Place the device in front of the person you want to hear.
With Sound Amplifier you can combine your Android device's microphone (or an external microphone) and a pair of headphones to amplify the sound around you. If Sound Amplifier is not pre-installed on your device, you can download it from the Google Play Store (free-of-charge).
With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your paired iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > your AirPods. You can also start the Hearing Test from the Health app. Tap Take a Hearing Test, then follow the instructions: If the app asks to run a check, put your AirPods back in their case, close the lid, then tap OK.
With your iOS update out of the way, it's time to turn your AirPods Pro into a pair of OTC hearing aids.
The 60/60 rule for hearing is a guideline to prevent noise-induced hearing loss: listen to personal audio devices at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time, then take a break. This helps protect your ears from damage by keeping sound levels moderate and allowing for rest, especially important with headphone/earbud use.
With advanced computational audio and the powerful H2 chip, the Hearing Aid feature boosts frequencies so sounds are clearer and more vibrant to your ears. Improved voice clarity and automatic Conversation Boost with AirPods Pro 3 make communicating in louder environments easier than ever.
AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 provide a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, as well as a Media Assist feature that enhances the clarity of music, video, and calls.
The short answer? AirPods Pro 2 are an excellent tool for folks with hearing loss—especially for calls and streaming—but they can't fully replace purpose-built hearing aids for all-day comfort and social settings. Most people I talk to end up using both.
Description. AirPods Pro earbuds feature up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation, plus Adaptive Transparency, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for immersive sound. Now with multiple ear tips (XS, S, M, L) and up to 6 hours of listening time.
The NDIS Operational Guidelines indicate that disability access requirements will generally be met where a person's hearing impairments are equal to or greater than 65 decibels, in the better ear.
Age-related hearing loss (also known as presbycusis) is a decrease in hearing ability that happens with age. In most cases, the hearing loss affects both ears. It can begin as early as a person's thirties or forties and worsens gradually over time.
Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA), even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss. However, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss.
The AirPods Pro 2nd Gen cannot cure tinnitus, but they may help alleviate the symptoms for some people, depending on how you use them and what triggers your tinnitus.
The fact that Apple has included a hearing test is particularly exciting. The first step in any hearing health journey is getting your hearing tested, and Apple's inclusion of this feature has made hearing tests accessible and free for any AirPods Pro 2 owner with an iOS 18.1 iPhone.
The accuracy may vary depending on background noise and distractions, something that's not a factor in professional soundproof environments. So, while the test can give you a general idea of your hearing health, it's not a substitute for a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist.
AirPods 3 controls
Play the next track: Double-press the stem. Play the previous track: Triple-press the stem. Answer a call: When you receive a call, press the stem. Activate Siri: Press and hold the stem, then ask questions, control apps, and more.
The ear tip fit test assesses your hearing and generates a personalised dynamic audio compensation plan. This ensures you hear the clearest possible sound details tailored to your ear canal.