Apple has introduced a range of advanced hearing health features for the AirPods Pro 2, including a clinically validated hearing test, an over-the-counter hearing aid function, and enhanced hearing protection capabilities. The AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature is for individuals 18 and older and designed for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
We were excited about this new launch, as it marks a huge step forward in normalizing hearing care and alleviating some of the negative stigmas associated with hearing aids and audiology care. So, we decided who better to test out the new features than professionals?
We decided to test out the new Apple AirPods Pro 2 to see how easy and accurate the hearing test feature is through the iPhone—and our findings were pretty interesting…
The Testing
First, we conducted a hearing test done by an audiologist in our soundproof booth so that we could compare it to the hearing test through the iPhone. There are a series of steps an audiologist will take to test your hearing. Following our regular procedure for a comprehensive hearing test, the following steps were performed:
- Taking the hearing test through the iPhone when the phone is up to date.
- Using the AirPods as hearing aids to see how the features work and how well they work.
- Otoscopy—looking in both ears to determine if the ear canal is clear of wax and/or debris and how the eardrum looks.
- Tympanometry—assess the middle ear’s functionality, which can detect issues like fluid or eardrum damage.
- Audiological testing in the soundproof booth—supra-aural earphones were placed on the test subject’s ears and air conduction testing was completed to find the softest sound they could hear at each frequency tested.
- Speech testing—to determine the softest decibel at which the subject could repeat a word back. Then word discrimination testing was performed to determine how many words the subject could repeat back accurately at a comfortable volume, which helps audiologists to interpret the brain’s ability to understand speech.
- Bone conduction testing—used to assess the type of hearing loss.
Based on the results, the audiologist can determine the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss, if any, and recommend appropriate treatments or interventions, such as hearing aids or further medical referrals. Testing can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. The test subject presented with hearing within normal thresholds in both ears
We then attempted to connect the Apple AirPods Pro 2 to a new and updated iPhone. No directions came with the AirPods for the hearing testing specifically. We were able to connect the AirPods to Bluetooth and there were a few prompts that popped up, but nothing regarding a hearing test.
We needed to look up how to take the hearing test, despite how it is advertised as an easy thing to do. We saw that the iPhone needs to have the latest iOS software installed—we thought the iPhone we were using was up to date, but it needed to be 18.1 or later. When you have the latest iOS, there is a prompt in the Settings tab under Apple AirPods where you should be able to take a hearing test.
The work-around for this if your iPhone is not up to date is downloading an app that can do the test, so we decided to download the Mimi Hearing Test app and try it out.
The hearing test through the app took about five minutes and asked the test subject to place the AirPods in their ears and to be in a quiet room. When the results came back, they were different from those of the test performed by the audiologist—and they found that the subject’s hearing was worse than the audiologist’s test did!
Survey Says…
After testing it for ourselves, we decided to talk to our friends around our different locations and find out their thoughts on the Apple hearing aid features.
At our Carney location, Dr. Bruno Holtan had two patients who tried the Apple hearing test. One found that the Apple hearing test set his levels way too low for what he needed; the other patient uses his AirPods as a spare set so his hearing aids don’t get dirty or damaged when he’s doing yard work.
Over in Glen Burnie, Dr. Fraser’s one patient gave the Apple hearing aid features a go and he prefers his hearing aids for the stronger fit and better amplification. Another patient wore the Apple AirPods after a facelift, because her hearing aids no longer fit; after a quick re-fitting and using background noise blocking mode, the patient said the AirPods helped her get by for a while, but she prefers her hearing aids much more.
And at our New Mexico Ave. location, our patient care coordinator tried them out for herself, but also prefers her hearing aids much more.
Our Conclusions
Working with the AirPods to take the hearing test took a long time to figure out, and it was frustrating that there was no easily accessible information about how to do the hearing test without the newest iOS software.
For patients who are not as adept with iPhone’s settings or do not have the newest phone or software, this may prove to be difficult. At this time, the hearing aid feature was not tested via Apple’s integrated features, but with an external app using the AirPods Pro 2, and our conclusions found that their results weren’t as accurate as an audiologist’s.
Although our experience was a little frustrating, please let us know how your experience went with the Apple hearing test and hearing aid features! We’d love to hear your feedback, and if you’d like to explore professional hearing care, you know where to find us.
If you find similar frustrations with your AirPods hearing test, we’d be happy to help you out with a comprehensive hearing test that provides significantly more accurate results. Please feel free to request a callback or contact us over the phone at (410) 944-3100 to get started.
