FDA Approves Apple AirPods PRO 2 as Hearing Aids

I stared wondering when Apple was going to make the AirPods hearing aids back when they released “transparency mode” with their noise canceling options on the AirPods Pro 2 version. Even though the bass is not as good as I would have hoped the sound quality and noise reduction are amazing.

Apple plans to release the hearing aid feature to users in 100 countries. The new AirPods Pro 2 features will allow users to:

• Take a five-minute hearing test and determine hearing loss.
• Adjust sound balance, amplification, and tone in response to the results on the AirPods Pro 2.
• Chart levels of hearing impairment over time.

Apple will also release a separate Hearing Protection feature for the AirPods Pro 2 to ensure users aren’t overexposed to ululation, but promises concerts won’t be completely ruined because the settings will keep the music “sounding natural and vibrant.”

Apple plans to release the Hearing Protection feature in fall 2024 and will work with AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac running the latest operating system. The feature will be available in the U.S. and Canada.

So to make sure you don’t run out and buy the Airpods Pro 2 in eager anticipation of listing to your wife remind you of all the tasks you have not completed yet in amazing audio quality, you WILL need to have an iPhone, iPad or Mac running IOS 18 for the Hearing Protection feature to work. They WILL not work stand alone.

Hearing Protection feature is expected to be available in fall 2024 and will work with AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac running the latest operating system. The feature will be available in the U.S. and Canada.