Updated on January 20th with details on AirPods Pro 2’s hearing health features and features that can help improve your hearing health.
Last fall’s hardware update to Apple’s headphone series focused on two new sets of USB-C-equipped AirPods and AirPods Max. AirPods Pro 2 remain unchanged, but have been introduced with updated software and will be able to benefit from superior hearing aid features in the UK in the coming weeks. We now have more details about this feature and some great additional features that help make it work.
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
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First, Tech Radar’s Matt Bolton confirmed why hearing health features are limited to the AirPods Pro 2 and not the new AirPods Pro, which come in versions with and without active noise cancellation.
“Apple says this is because these models lack in-ear seals to improve the sound isolation needed for the company’s technology to work effectively. This mode is similar to AirPods’ previous “It won’t be included in the model, but we expect it to be part of the feature list for AirPods Pro 3, which is rumored to arrive in late 2025,” Bolton said.
AirPods Pro 2 have already announced a hearing test feature, allowing users to take a validated hearing test at home to see if they would benefit from hearing aid assistance.
However, while these features are already available in the US, some countries, including the UK, did not have regulations in place to allow earbuds to continue to be used as hearing aids.
“Britain can become a medical technology powerhouse, but only if we get rid of the meaningless regulations that stifle innovation,” said Wes Streeting, the UK’s health secretary, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.
The report also quotes Apple’s statement. Apple said: “Following new policy guidance from the UK Department of Health and Social Care, we look forward to adding hearing aid functionality to AirPods Pro 2 in the coming weeks, helping to improve the daily lives of many users in the UK. ” he said.
In other words, Apple is planning to release an updated version of its software for the UK, likely with iOS 18, but perhaps with collusion it will include new firmware for the AirPods Pro.
And AirPods Pro 2 can be used as a hearing aid to help people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Oh, and about that sweet bonus: If you hear a chime from your AirPods Pro 2 case while charging, you know it’s a feature designed to make sure the microphone and speaker are working properly . Check your hearing test results,” Apple says in its support guide.
Of course, the battery life isn’t comparable to regular hearing aids, so you’ll need to remove and charge them regularly. It can also make it look like you’re listening to music or making a phone call when you’re wearing it.
However, for some people, visible hearing aids can help them hear better while overcoming social stigma.
As for the timing, Apple’s comment “in the coming weeks” suggests January or February. For some people, this may be a huge benefit.
