How to Take a Hearing Test With AirPods Pro 2

If you use AirPods Pro 2 and have concerns about your hearing health, Apple has introduced a powerful feature in iOS 18.1 and later—a clinical-grade hearing test. This test can identify mild to severe hearing loss and adjust your audio settings for a better listening experience.

Here’s how to take a hearing test with AirPods Pro 2 and interpret your results.

What You Need to Get Started

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware
• An iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 18.1 or later
• A quiet environment (no fans, talking, or background noise)
• About 5 minutes of uninterrupted time

This test plays a range of frequencies at various volumes, so silence is key for accuracy.

Step-by-Step: Take a Hearing Test With AirPods Pro 2

1. Insert your AirPods Pro 2 into your ears.
2. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
3. Tap the AirPods Pro name at the top of the screen.
4. Under the “Hearing Health” section, tap Take a Hearing Test.
5. Answer a few preliminary questions (age, recent noise exposure).
6. Perform the Ear Fit Test to ensure a proper seal.
7. The test begins—tap the screen every time you hear a tone.
8. The test will switch automatically between ears until both are tested.

⚠️ Make sure your AirPods are charged and your surroundings remain quiet for the duration of the test.

How to Understand Your Hearing Test Results

Your results are shown in dBHL (decibels hearing level), similar to audiology clinic reports. Here’s how to interpret them:

• 0–25 dBHL: Normal hearing – No noticeable issues
• 26–40 dBHL: Mild hearing loss – Difficulty hearing at a distance
• 41–60 dBHL: Moderate hearing loss – Needs raised voices to understand
• 61–80 dBHL: Severe hearing loss – Only loud sounds are audible

Tap “Show Details” to view a breakdown by frequency (250 Hz to 8 kHz). This can help identify if you have trouble hearing high or low pitches and can be exported as a PDF for your doctor.

Accessing and Sharing Test Results

You can find your hearing test history in the Health app:

1. Open Health app
2. Tap Browse → Hearing
3. Tap Hearing Test Results
4. Tap Export PDF or the Share icon to send to a doctor

Unlock Extra Features: Media Assist & Hearing Aid Mode

Media Assist

If the test detects mild or moderate hearing loss, Media Assist optimizes audio output:

• Go to Settings → Your AirPods Pro → Hearing Health
• Tap Media Assist
• Toggle on, and choose to Use Hearing Test Results or Custom Setup

This enhances music, video, and call audio to suit your hearing profile.

Hearing Aid Mode

AirPods Pro 2 can amplify environmental sounds:

• Open Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices
• Enable Hearing Aid Mode

Note: This mode is only available in supported regions.

Live in an Unsupported Region? Here’s a Workaround

Even if the feature isn’t officially available in your country, you can still access the hearing test manually:

• Open Safari and paste this link:
  x-apple-health://HearingAppPlugin.healthplugin/HearingTest
• Or use the Apple Hearing Test Shortcut, available online

🔒 You’ll still see your results in the Health app, but other features like Media Assist may remain disabled.

Conclusion

Apple’s Hearing Test with AirPods Pro 2 offers an accessible, private, and effective way to monitor your hearing health from your iPhone. Whether you’re checking for early signs of hearing loss or just curious, this feature turns your AirPods into a personalized audio health tool. Take the test, view your results, and unlock audio settings tailored just for you.