Exciting enhancements are coming to Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 as major hearing health features are set to roll out next week alongside iOS 18.1. These features, initially announced in September, focus on creating a comprehensive user experience aimed at prevention, awareness, and assistance in hearing health.

Hearing Protection Initiatives

Launching with these updates is an active Hearing Protection feature designed to safeguard users from harmful noise exposure without distorting the listening experience. Set to work seamlessly across noise cancellation, transparency, and adaptive audio modes, this feature is activated by default on the AirPods Pro 2. Apple explains that an innovative multiband high dynamic range algorithm is used to maintain the natural sound in environments such as concerts.

The Verge’s Chris Welch shares insights on this upgrade, noting that it doesn't require a specific mode, but rather integrates a broader loud sound reduction strategy than was previously available. Welch describes how varying listening preferences, like adaptive audio, offer customizable experiences enhancing noise cancellation or passthrough while maintaining protective measures.

Innovative Hearing Test Feature

Another noteworthy feature is the new hearing test capability, allowing users to assess their hearing directly through the AirPods Pro and an iPhone or iPad. This test employs pure-tone audiometry, a standard clinical method, providing users with a clear summary of their results which can be shared with healthcare professionals.

The Wall Street Journal’s Nicole Nguyen tested this with Beth Yauman, a 74-year-old user with mild hearing loss. The process involved listening to various tones and marking when they’re heard, resulting in a diagnosis that matched her previous medical evaluations. The results also offer the option to configure the AirPods as hearing aids, indicating a transitional period for user adaptation.

Hearing Aid Adjustment

Finally, AirPods Pro 2 will offer a hearing aid feature tailored for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. The feature uses the hearing test results to provide real-time, dynamic adjustments that amplify surrounding sounds. Wired’s Christopher Null highlights his positive experiences in different communication scenarios, noting an initial audio 'hiss' that reduced significantly after refining the settings with a professional audiogram.

Availability

These new hearing health features will be available next week as part of an AirPods firmware upgrade coinciding with the release of iOS 18.1. This update is set to include a host of new capabilities alongside Apple Intelligence features for iPhone users.

More about these updates and their benefits can be found here on 9to5Mac.