Apple has officially announced a significant upgrade for its AirPods Pro 2, with three advanced features focused on hearing health set to roll out in the coming weeks. The update is part of Apple’s broader push to enhance accessibility and integrate health-focused technology into its products, and it’s tied to the latest iOS 18.1 update.
What’s New?
1. Hearing Test:
Users will be able to take a five-minute hearing test directly through their iPhone or iPad. The test will generate a hearing profile in the Health app, allowing users to track changes in their hearing over time. While similar features are offered by competitors like Sony, Apple’s approach is more health-focused rather than just optimizing audio quality.
2. Hearing Aid Mode:
The AirPods Pro 2 will double as clinical-grade hearing aids, providing assistance for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. This mode can enhance conversations and background sounds, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional hearing aids that can cost thousands of dollars.
3. Hearing Protection:
Leveraging machine learning, this feature will actively reduce exposure to harmful environmental noise. Designed to mitigate dangerously loud sounds, it adds a powerful layer of protection for users in noisy environments.
Release Timeline and Compatibility
Apple has confirmed that the features will be globally available by the end of fall 2025, covering over 100 countries. To access the updates, users will need to ensure their AirPods Pro 2 are running the latest firmware (build 7B19) and are paired with a device using iOS 18.1.