Using AirPods as a Hearing Aid: How Hearing Tests and Hearing Support Work
Are conversations in restaurants getting more difficult, individual words getting lost, or is the TV slowly getting louder and louder? This can happen gradually – and therefore often goes unnoticed for a long time.
A first orientation is now possible with a product that many people use daily anyway: certain AirPods Pro can perform a personal hearing test and then be used as a hearing aid.
This doesn't just make all sounds universally louder. The AirPods adjust voices, ambient sounds, music, and calls to the individual hearing ability of the left and right ear.
We'll explain step-by-step how this works, why a hearing test is necessary first, and how to set up the hearing assistance afterwards.
Can AirPods really be used as hearing aids?
Yes. Apple offers an integrated hearing aid function for compatible AirPods Pro. It is intended for adults aged 18 and over with mild to moderate hearing loss and is approved in the EU.
The AirPods use a personal hearing profile for this. This shows which pitches you hear well in your left and right ear and in which areas amplification might be useful.
You get this hearing profile in two ways:
- through a hearing test with the AirPods and your iPhone or iPad
- through an existing audiogram from a hearing aid acoustician
Only on the basis of this result can the hearing assistance be individually adjusted to your hearing. Therefore, the hearing test comes before the actual setup as a hearing aid.
Which AirPods can be used as hearing aids?
The full hearing test and hearing aid function is currently supported by the following models:
- AirPods Pro 2
- AirPods Pro 3
Normal AirPods, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max offer various audio and accessibility features, but do not support the full hearing test and hearing aid function described here.
You will also need:
- a compatible iPhone or iPad
- at least iOS 18 or iPadOS 18
- the latest AirPods firmware
- well-fitting and clean ear tips
Why does the hearing aid function require a hearing test first?
Hearing loss is not the same for everyone. Some people hear high tones less well, others have greater difficulties with lower frequencies. The left and right ear can also differ significantly.
A simple volume control would therefore not be sufficient. The hearing test determines separately for both ears at which frequencies you can still perceive even very quiet tones.
From these results, the iPhone creates an audiogram. This personal hearing profile then forms the basis for the AirPods' hearing assistance.
What can I expect from the hearing test with AirPods?
The test takes approximately five minutes and is similar in principle to a classic hearing test: You hear tones of different pitches and volumes one after another. As soon as you perceive a tone, you tap the display.
Some tones are deliberately very quiet. It is therefore completely normal not to hear every tone. You should not guess or tap the display preemptively.
Before the actual hearing test begins, the iPhone also checks:
- whether the environment is quiet enough
- whether the AirPods are seated correctly in the ear
- whether the ear tips provide sufficient seal
- whether the AirPods are sufficiently charged
If the room is too loud or an AirPod is not seated correctly, the iPhone will notify you. You can adjust the position or try a different size of silicone ear tips.
Preparation: How to make the hearing test as reliable as possible
For a usable result, you should find a really quiet place. Running television, conversations, street noise, ventilation, or air conditioning can affect the test.
Also, pay attention to the following points:
- fully charge AirPods and charging case
- gently clean AirPods
- use the correct size of ear tips
- allow approximately five undisturbed minutes
- after a concert or another very loud environment, it's better to wait until the next day
A cold, blocked ears, or severe allergy symptoms can also temporarily alter the result. In this case, it makes sense to repeat the test later.
Starting the AirPods hearing test: Step-by-step guide
If your AirPods are connected and fit well, you can start the hearing test directly from the settings:
- Insert both AirPods Pro.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
- Tap on the name of your AirPods Pro at the top.
- Under "Hearing Health", select Take a Hearing Test.
- Follow the checks for environment, battery level, and fit.
- During the test, tap the display whenever you hear a tone.
You can find the hearing test directly in the settings of the connected AirPods Pro
The tones are played separately for each ear. A tone can be repeated multiple times. Once you have heard it, a single tap is sufficient.
You can also start the hearing test via the Health app. However, the direct way via the AirPods settings is the easiest for most users.
What does the hearing test result show?
After the test, you will receive a result for both the left and right ear. It will indicate whether no or only slight hearing loss, or a mild, moderate, or more severe impairment has been detected.
Additionally, you will see an audiogram. The display shows how well you perceived different frequencies. The result is saved in the Health app and can be viewed again later or exported as a PDF.
The result is evaluated separately for both ears and saved as an audiogram
If mild to moderate hearing loss is detected, you can set up the hearing aid function in the next step. Depending on the result, the iPhone may instead recommend media support.
Setting up AirPods as a hearing aid
After the hearing test, the actual setup follows. The AirPods link the determined hearing profile with the hearing assistance.
- Keep the AirPods inserted and connected to the iPhone.
- Open Settings and tap on your AirPods Pro.
- Tap on Hearing Assistance.
- Select Configure Hearing Assistance.
- Choose your current hearing test result or add an existing audiogram.
- Tap Set up Hearing Aid and then Activate Hearing Aid.
The settings are saved directly on the AirPods. This means that hearing assistance will continue to work with the last used settings even if the iPhone is not immediately nearby.
Important: The hearing aid function works in Transparency Mode
For the AirPods to pick up and amplify ambient sounds, they must be in Transparency Mode.
With active noise cancellation, outside noise is deliberately reduced. This would, of course, not be useful for classic hearing assistance during a conversation.
The separate media support, however, can adapt music, videos, phone calls, and FaceTime calls to your personal hearing profile even in other noise control modes.
These settings you should try
After setup, you can further customize the hearing assistance. Apple recommends making changes in small increments at first, as the new soundscape may initially feel unfamiliar.
Amplification
Amplification determines how much sounds in your environment are boosted. More isn't automatically better. Set the amplification so that speech becomes clearer without everyday noises seeming unpleasantly loud.
Left-Right Balance
If your hearing differs in both ears, the balance can be adjusted separately.
Timbre
The amplified tone can be set brighter or darker. A brighter tuning can improve the intelligibility of certain voices, but can also be more strenuous with rattling dishes or other high-pitched noises.
Reduce Ambient Noise
Annoying steady noises like fans, air conditioners, or street noise can be reduced. This can make conversations in noisy environments more understandable.
Conversation Boost
Conversation Boost focuses more intently on a person speaking directly in front of you. This is particularly useful in restaurants, family gatherings, or meetings.
Amplification, sound, balance and conversation boost can be individually adjusted
Quickly change hearing assistance in Control Center
You don't have to go into AirPods settings every time. After setup, a section for hearing assistance is automatically added to the Control Center.
Open the Control Center and tap the hearing aid icon. There you can quickly adjust amplification, sound, and Conversation Boost to your current surroundings.
This is practical if, for example, you move from a quiet apartment to a noisy café.
Better understanding music, videos, and calls
The hearing profile can be used not only for ambient sounds. With the Media Assistance function, music, videos, phone calls, and FaceTime calls can also be adjusted to your personal hearing ability.
Especially with voices in films or phone calls, this can make a significant difference. The volume of media and the amplification of the environment can be controlled separately.
Practical tips for everyday life
- Gradual acclimatization: Use the hearing assistance initially in a familiar environment and adjust the amplification only gradually.
- Keep AirPods clean: Dirty microphone or speaker grilles can impair sound, testing, and amplification.
- Choose suitable ear tips: A good fit not only improves sound but also the accuracy of the hearing test.
- Plan for battery life: AirPods are not a full-day hearing solution for everyone. The charging case should be readily available on the go.
- Repeat the test occasionally: If your hearing perception changes, you can perform a new hearing test.
- Don't worry about small changes: The personal sound profile can be adjusted gradually.
AirPods or classic hearing aid?
AirPods Pro can provide straightforward hearing assistance for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are particularly interesting if you already use AirPods and want to understand conversations, media, or phone calls better.
A classic hearing aid, on the other hand, is professionally fitted, designed for prolonged daily wear, and may be a more suitable solution for more complex or severe hearing problems.
Therefore, AirPods do not automatically replace a medical evaluation or professional hearing aid consultation. If you experience a sudden change in hearing, severe discomfort, or significant differences between both ears, you should have it medically checked.
Frequently Asked Questions About AirPods as Hearing Aids
Which AirPods can be used as hearing aids?
The full hearing test and hearing aid functionality are supported by AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3.
Can AirPods 4 be used as a hearing aid?
No. While AirPods 4 offer various audio and accessibility features, they do not support the full hearing aid functionality of AirPods Pro.
How long does the hearing test with AirPods take?
The hearing test takes approximately five minutes. Additionally, allow some time to check the environment and the fit of the ear tips.
What happens during the AirPods hearing test?
The AirPods play very quiet tones at different frequencies one after another. As soon as you hear a tone, you tap the display. A personal audiogram is created for each ear from this.
Is the AirPods hearing test absolutely necessary for the hearing aid function?
No. Alternatively, you can use an existing audiogram from a hearing aid acoustician.
Do AirPods function as hearing aids without an iPhone?
After setup, the last used settings are saved on the AirPods. Hearing assistance then works even without an iPhone in the immediate vicinity. For changes and new hearing tests, an iPhone or iPad is still required.
In which mode does the hearing aid function work?
The amplification of ambient sounds works in Transparency mode. Media support for music, videos, and calls, however, can also work in other noise control modes.
Our conclusion: Much more than just headphones
The hearing health features are among the most exciting, yet little-known functions of AirPods Pro. The hearing test is quick, clearly structured, and creates an individual profile for both ears.
Afterward, the AirPods can adjust conversations, ambient sounds, music, and calls to personal hearing. For people with mild to moderate hearing loss, they can therefore be much more than classic headphones.
View compatible AirPods or have the function explained
Below this article, you will find our currently available AirPods models and can browse them directly online.
Would you prefer to see the models first or are you unsure which AirPods support the hearing aid function? Just visit one of our branches in Dornbirn, Götzis, or Bürs.
We will be happy to explain the differences between the models and show you where to find the hearing test and hearing assistance on the iPhone.
