Since the arrival of iOS 18.2, you can now easily test your hearing with AirPods Pro 2, Apple’s high-end wireless headphones. A first step before transforming them into a real hearing aid.
Promised during the back-to-school keynote at the beginning of September, the function which allows AirPods Pro 2 to be used as a hearing test device is finally arriving with iOS 18.2. Paired with an iPhone, Apple’s most popular headphones can now turn into little assistants to check for possible hearing loss. A first step for a health function associated with the headphones which should be followed by a second intended to turn the AirPods this time into a hearing aid. This will involve readjusting the sounds perceived according to the frequencies less well assimilated by the ears.
Hearing test: a function reserved for AirPods Pro 2
For the moment, this hearing aid is not yet deployed in France since it must first be validated by the health authorities. In the meantime, nothing prevents you from carrying out a test and evaluating the quality of your hearing (and possible losses due to age and/or too prolonged exposure to powerful sounds).
The test lasts approximately 5 minutes. Each ear is assessed individually using sounds played from the iPhone to the headphones. At the end of the analysis, a document is generated and highlights the weaknesses of each ear. It is also possible to generate a report in PDF format that can be given to a specialist in case of doubt.
Note that only AirPods Pro 2 (connected to an iPhone running iOS 18.2 or an iPad running iPadOS 18.2) can be used for this test. The brand’s other headphones do not benefit from the technical advantages necessary to drive it. Finally, be aware that the AirPods update which makes them compatible with the hearing test is not reported by iOS or iPadOS. In our case, our AirPods Pro 2 display firmware version 7B21. If your AirPods aren’t up to date, there’s no way to force it. Simply leave your AirPods charging near the iPhone or iPad they’re connected to. The (silent) update should take place automatically.
How to take a hearing test with AirPods Pro 2?
To carry out the analysis, Apple recommends placing yourself in a quiet place. Furthermore, if you are coming back from a very noisy place (like a concert) or if your sinuses are blocked due to a cold for example, there is no point in carrying out the test. The results would be distorted.
► Place your AirPods in the ears, making sure to use the correct tip. Check that they are properly connected to the iPhone or iPad.
► Open the Settings from the iPhone or iPad then go to Bluetooth. Press the i at the end of the line corresponding to AirPods.
► The AirPods Pro 2 information and settings page is displayed. Tap the menu Perform a hearing test. On the page that appears next, press the button To start.
► Then answer the questionnaire to indicate your age group, if you suffer from an illness or if you have recently been in a noisy place. Press Following.
► The app then checks the surrounding noise level. Being in a quiet place, sheltered from outside sounds is necessary. These could distort the results. Furthermore, you will need a little concentration to complete the test. Press Following.
► Press Following after following all recommendations for correctly placing the headphones in the ears. Validate by Start the test.
► Music then plays in the ears. It allows AirPods to validate the fit of the headphones and the surrounding noise level. If all is well, press Following.
► The app explains the analysis process, which consists of sending a succession of sounds at different frequencies to each ear. All you have to do is tap the screen each time you hear a sound. Simple. Press Start the test.
► The test finally starts. Tap the screen each time you hear a sound (it repeats three times before switching to another frequency if you don’t tap).
► Once both ears have been tested, the app delivers its conclusion and explains how to interpret the results. From the Health app, it is possible to generate a PDF document. Open the Health app. Press Summary (bottom left). Scroll down to the menu Show all Health data.
► Scroll the displayed page to the tile Hearing test results and press it.
► Finally press All hearing test results then on Export to PDF.
► In the event of worrying or unusual results, it is strongly recommended to make an appointment with an ENT specialist for more in-depth examinations. The hearing test provided by Apple and its AirPods Pro 2 has not received validation from the French health authorities even though it is indicated as having been scientifically validated.