When iOS 18.1 arrived earlier this week, Apple introduced the much-anticipated set of hearing health features it announced at the iPhone event in September. This includes hearing aids and hearing protection devices, as well as a “clinically validated” hearing test in your pocket. By combining an iPhone and second-generation AirPods Pro, you can perform a hearing test that’s similar to what you’d get at an audiologist’s office without leaving home. Most importantly, the whole process takes about five minutes and you get detailed results immediately. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
Update your iPhone and AirPods Pro 2
Before you can access Apple’s hearing test, you’ll need to make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.1 and your AirPods Pro 2 has the latest firmware (7B19). If you don’t have both of these updates, none of the new hearing health features will appear in AirPods Settings or the Apple Health app. Also, you won’t be able to check hearability on the first-generation AirPods Pro (2019 model) or using any other newer device.
You can check your current iOS version from the iPhone Settings menu. Scroll down to General and tap Software Update. From here, you can see what version of iOS you’re running and if you have any pending updates that are ready to download and install. Once again, you’re looking for iOS 18.1 here as this is the software version that provides all the features associated with hearability.
To check the firmware on your AirPods Pro 2, connect the earbuds to your iPhone and go to the Settings menu. Here, your AirPods Pro 2 should appear at the top of the list and tapping on that option will take you to Settings. You can also access AirPods Pro 2 details from the Bluetooth menu by tapping on the “i” icon next to the device name.
Once you’re in the AirPods settings menu, scroll to the bottom of the main screen. The last thing you’ll see is a lot of firmware information, including the current version of the AirPods Pro 2. If you see 7B19, you’re good to go. If not, your earbuds haven’t updated yet, but you can force them to do so instead of waiting for the over-the-air process to happen automatically.
To do this, connect the AirPods Pro 2 to your iPhone for at least 30 seconds and play music to confirm the connection is stable. Then place the earbuds back in the charging case and close the lid so the AirPods Pro 2 are in range of the iPhone. Now check the Bluetooth settings, and if you see that the AirPods Pro 2 stays connected for more than 10 seconds in the charging case when the lid is closed, it means an update is in progress.
Where to find Apple’s hearing test
Apple allows you to access your hearing test from two places, and both are easy to find. The first is in the AirPods menu, which you can get to from either the main Settings menu or the Bluetooth menu. The Hearing Health section is prominently displayed on the main screen, just below the Noise Control options. In this section, the third item after Hearing Protection and Hearing Assistance will be “Take a hearing test,” and it will appear in blue.
In the Health app, the quickest way to access the hearing test is to tap Browse on the menu at the bottom of the main Summary screen. From there, select “Hearing” with the blue ear icon and scroll down to “Get more from Health.” Here, you’ll see the option to take a hearing test with AirPods Pro 2.
How to take Apple’s hearing test
After updating your device and finding the hearing test, the hardest part is over. The software-based test guides you through the entire process, with detailed information about what you can expect and what the results mean for you.
After you choose “Take a hearing test,” you’ll tap “Get Started” to begin the process. First, the software will ask you if you’re 18 years of age or older, if you’re experiencing allergy or cold symptoms, and if you’ve been in a noisy environment (like a concert) in the past 24 hours. If the answer to either of these is yes, the other two things could affect the accuracy of your test.
On the next screen, the AirPods and iPhone will work together to make sure your surroundings are quiet enough for the hearing test. Too much background noise will make it difficult for you to hear more subtle tones during the screening.
Next, setup will ensure that the AirPods Pro 2 fit properly in your ears and that they provide a sufficient seal for the test. You will be informed that Do No Disturb will be on to prevent distractions during the test and that Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) mode will be enabled at this time. The test will then provide some sample tones and tell you that each tone will be played three times during the test.