AirPods Pro Hearing Aid Feature

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Some AirPods Pro earbuds can work as hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Apple calls this the Hearing Aid feature.

You take a short hearing test on your iPhone, and the AirPods then make sounds around you louder and clearer, tuned to your hearing.

What You Can Use It For

• Conversations. Hear people better at the dinner table.
• TV and phone calls. Sound is adjusted to your hearing.
• Checking your hearing. The built-in test gives you a result you can share with your doctor.

Getting Started Step By Step

Setting It Up

1. Check you have supported AirPods Pro and an up-to-date iPhone. Apple's support page lists which models work.
2. Put the AirPods in your ears and open Settings. Tap your AirPods' name near the top.
3. Tap Take a Hearing Test and follow the steps in a quiet room. It takes about five minutes.
4. If the test shows mild to moderate loss, you'll be offered the Hearing Aid feature. Follow the steps to switch it on.

On A Computer

1. Open your web browser and go to Apple's Hearing Aid support page. Check the address carefully, because look-alike sites exist.
2. Read the full instructions and which countries it's available in.

Things To Try Typing

Settings and steps to look for.

What It Costs

The feature itself is free, but you need supported AirPods Pro and a compatible iPhone. Apple's AirPods prices change, so please check the official site for the current price.

Privacy And Safety

• Your hearing test results are stored in the Apple Health app on your iPhone. You decide who to share them with.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Much cheaper than many hearing aids.
• Easy to set up on an iPhone.
• Also works as normal earbuds for music and calls.

Watch-Outs

• Only for mild to moderate hearing loss. See an audiologist if your hearing is worse, or changes suddenly.
• Needs an iPhone.
• The battery needs charging every day.

Similar Tools

• Live Transcribe: live captions of speech on Android.
• Otter: turns speech into written notes.
• Siri and Apple Intelligence: built into iPhones, iPads and Macs.

Common Questions

Do I need a hearing test from a doctor?

No, you can take the test on your iPhone. If you're worried about your hearing, see your GP or an audiologist too.

Does it work with Android phones?

No. You need an iPhone to set it up.

Is it a real hearing aid?

Apple describes it as a hearing aid feature for mild to moderate hearing loss.