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AirPods Pro as Hearing Help (OTC Hearing Aid Feature)

If you have AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3, Apple offers a built-in Hearing Test and a Hearing Aid feature intended for adults (18+) with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. This page explains what it is, how to set it up, how to use it well in real life, and when to get checked.

About 6–10 minutes Quick check → setup → real-life tips
Safety first. This is educational and not a diagnosis. If you have a sudden hearing change, severe vertigo, new neurologic symptoms, or other urgent concerns, go to /en/emergency.

Start here

This guide is specifically for Apple’s Hearing Test + Hearing Aid feature (OTC hearing aid software) that work with AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3. You’ll need a compatible Apple device with iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 or later and up-to-date AirPods firmware. Availability can vary by country/region.

Quick check: what do you have?

What this is (plain-English mental model)

Apple’s Hearing Aid feature is an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software that helps amplify sound for adults (18+) with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. It works with compatible AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3.

Two features that people mix up:
  • Hearing Aid = amplifies the sounds around you (environment) when you’re in Transparency mode.
  • Media Assist = improves clarity for music, video, and calls across noise control modes.

You personalize it using either:

  • A built-in Hearing Test you take with your AirPods, or
  • A prior audiogram from a hearing healthcare professional.
Helpful mindset: Think “smart assist.” If you’re struggling all day, every day, you deserve a full evaluation and a plan that fits your life.

What you need (fast checklist)

  • AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3 with the latest firmware.
  • iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 or later (and up-to-date software).
  • The Hearing Test / Hearing Aid feature must be available in your country/region.
  • Time + quiet: the Hearing Test is designed to take about 5 minutes in a quiet room.

Official Apple links: Hearing Aid feature setup · Hearing Test instructions · Availability by country/region

Red flags: when NOT to “just try AirPods”

OTC hearing aids are designed for adults with perceived mild–moderate hearing loss. But there are situations where you should be checked by a clinician first.

See a doctor (preferably ENT) if any of these apply:
  • Blood, pus, or fluid coming out of your ear (recent)
  • Ear pain or significant discomfort
  • Severe dizziness/vertigo (spinning/swaying)
  • Sudden hearing change, or hearing that fluctuates
  • One ear clearly worse than the other
  • Ringing/buzzing in only one ear
  • Concern for something stuck in the ear / lots of wax

If symptoms are sudden or scary, use /en/emergency.

Step 0 (worth it): fit + seal + clean

The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid feature both work better when your AirPods have a good seal. A poor fit can make results less accurate and reduce benefit.

  • Run Apple’s Ear Tip Fit Test if you can.
  • Try different ear tip sizes until you get a stable seal.
  • Clean your AirPods periodically (debris can break the seal).
Before you test: Avoid testing right after a loud event, or when you’re actively sick/congested if you can — those can skew results.

Step 1: Take the Hearing Test (about 5 minutes)

Goal: get a baseline and (optionally) use it to personalize Hearing Assistance.

  1. Charge your AirPods and choose a quiet room (fans/AC can interfere).
  2. Put AirPods in your ears and connect them to your iPhone/iPad.
  3. Go to Settings → tap your AirPods name, then look under Hearing Health.
  4. Tap Take a Hearing Test (you can also start from the Health app).
  5. Tap when you hear tones. It’s OK to miss a tone.
Make this smoother: Run the test once “for practice.” The second run is often calmer and more consistent.
Where results live: Apple stores your results in the Health app on your device, and you can export/share a PDF if needed. (Great for bringing to a visit.)
Do not use this to self-triage emergencies. Sudden hearing loss (hours to 3 days) needs urgent evaluation. Use /en/emergency.

Step 2: Turn on Hearing Assistance (Hearing Aid / Media Assist)

Goal: personalize sound using your Hearing Test or a prior audiogram.

  1. Put AirPods in your ears and connect them.
  2. Go to Settings → tap your AirPods name.
  3. Tap Hearing Assistance, then Set Up Hearing Assistance.
  4. Choose:
    • Take a Hearing Test, or
    • Use a Prior Test Result (including adding an audiogram).
  5. Follow prompts to turn on Hearing Aid. Depending on your results, Apple may recommend Media Assist instead (or in addition).
Adaptation is real: Make small changes over several days, not big swings every hour.
Good to know: Apple states Hearing Aid settings are stored on the AirPods, so Hearing Aid can keep working using the most recent settings even if your phone isn’t nearby.

Step 3: The two controls that matter most

People get stuck because they turn the phone volume up and nothing changes (or the opposite). Here’s the clean mental model:

  • Amplification = how much your AirPods amplify the environment (Hearing Aid). This is adjusted in Hearing Assistance settings / Control Center.
  • Volume = media volume (music/video/calls). Your device volume buttons control this.
Quick access: After you set up Hearing Aid, Hearing Assistance controls are added to Control Center. You can adjust amplification there (separately from media volume).
Extra knobs you can try (only if you need them): tone (brighter/darker), ambient noise reduction, left-right balance, own voice amplification, and Conversation Boost.

Real-life tips (where it actually shines)

These are the situations where people most often get “wow, this is helpful” value:

  • Across a table: one person talking, moderate background noise.
  • TV listening: clearer speech without blasting the room.
  • Car passenger: hearing the driver without fully turning your head.
Best-use rule: distance matters more than volume. If you’re far from the talker and the room is loud, even fancy features struggle.
Conversation Boost: Designed to focus on a person speaking in front of you. It tends to work best for one-on-one conversations with the person directly in front.
Remember: Hearing Aid amplification of your environment happens only in Transparency mode. If you’re expecting it to help while you’re in Noise Cancellation, it won’t.

If you still struggle in groups/restaurants, it may be time to add other supports (communication strategies, a hearing evaluation, or assistive listening tech).

Limits (what this can’t replace)

  • Not a diagnosis: a self-test is not the same as a full audiology evaluation.
  • Not for severe loss: OTC devices are intended for perceived mild–moderate loss; severe/profound needs clinical care.
  • Not for emergencies: sudden hearing changes or “one ear suddenly weird” should be treated as urgent until proven otherwise.
  • Listening fatigue is a clue: if you’re worn out from listening or still missing key details in quiet conversations, get checked.
Safety route: sudden hearing change (hours to 3 days), severe vertigo with hearing change, neurologic symptoms, or pulsatile tinnitus → /en/emergency.

AirPods can be a powerful assist — but they shouldn’t carry the whole load

If you’re relying on hearing assistance daily, turning volume up a lot, or still missing key details in quiet conversations, that’s a strong signal to plan a real hearing evaluation and support.

Care Navigator Test Results Decoder Safety: /en/emergency

Educational only. This page does not store personal data. Your selections update only on your device.