Revolutionizing Hearing Health: iOS 18.1 Turns AirPods Pro 2 into Audiometric Tools
iOS 18.1 introduces a groundbreaking Hearing Health feature that transforms AirPods Pro 2 into a powerful tool for assessing and monitoring hearing health. This update brings clinical-grade hearing tests, hearing aid functionality, and hearing protection to compatible devices, marking a significant advancement in personal audio technology.
Key takeaways:
- Clinical-grade hearing test exclusively available for AirPods Pro 2 users
- Compatible with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia on iPhone 11 and newer devices
- Hearing Aid mode and Media Assist features optimize audio based on individual hearing profiles
- Test results categorized into levels of hearing loss, from little to no loss up to severe
- Hearing Protection feature minimizes exposure to loud environmental noise
Taking the Hearing Test with AirPods Pro 2
To ensure accurate results, it’s crucial to prepare properly for the hearing test. Start by using the Ear Tip Fit Test to ensure your AirPods Pro 2 fit correctly. Find a quiet environment to conduct the test, as background noise can interfere with the results.
Access the test through either the Settings app or the Health app on your iOS device. You’ll be asked a few preliminary questions about your age and noise exposure history. The test itself takes about five minutes to complete.
During the test, you’ll hear tones at various volumes and frequencies. Simply tap the screen when you hear each tone. The test automatically switches between your ears, providing a comprehensive assessment of your hearing health.
Understanding Your Hearing Test Results
After completing the test, your results will be displayed in decibels of hearing level (dBHL). The results are categorized into four levels:
- Little to no loss (up to 25 dBHL)
- Mild (26-40 dBHL)
- Moderate (41-60 dBHL)
- Severe (61-80 dBHL)
You’ll be able to view a detailed, frequency-specific chart of your hearing levels. For those who want to consult with a medical professional, there’s an option to save the results as a PDF.
Enhancing Your Listening Experience
Based on your test results, iOS 18.1 offers two key features to improve your audio experience: Hearing Aid mode and Media Assist.
If your results indicate perceived mild to moderate hearing loss (26 dBHL or more), you can enable Hearing Aid mode in Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices. This feature utilizes your AirPods Pro 2 as assistive hearing devices.
Media Assist optimizes audio playback based on your unique hearing profile. To activate this feature, go to Settings > AirPods > Hearing Health > Media Assist. You can further customize your experience by adjusting amplification, left-right balance, tone, and Conversation Boost settings.
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Customizing Your Hearing Health Settings
The new Hearing Health feature allows for extensive customization across your Apple devices. You can adjust settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac (running macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later).
One standout feature is Hearing Protection, which aims to minimize your exposure to loud environmental noise. However, it’s important to note that this feature may not be available in all regions due to varying regulations.
For those in unsupported regions, there’s a workaround available to access these features. This flexibility ensures that users worldwide can benefit from these innovative hearing health tools.
The introduction of these clinical-grade hearing tests and adaptive audio features in iOS 18.1 marks a significant step forward in personal audio technology. By transforming AirPods Pro 2 into sophisticated hearing health devices, Apple is bridging the gap between consumer electronics and medical-grade assistive technology, potentially improving the quality of life for millions of users worldwide.
Sources:
India Today
ZDNet
MacRumors
Apple Support
9to5Mac
