Your AirPods are no longer just for music, calls, or binge-watching shows. Apple is now turning them into a mini health companion. The company has introduced a new hearing health feature in India that allows AirPods Pro users to take a hearing test at home in just a few minutes.
And that’s not all, the earbuds can also help improve hearing for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. AirPods can now test your hearing at home Apple’s new Hearing Test feature is available for users with AirPods Pro 2 and later models running the latest firmware. Users will also need a compatible iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18. The process is simple and takes around five minutes. Users just need to wear their AirPods Pro in a quiet place and follow the instructions on the screen. During the test, different tones are played into each ear, and users tap the screen whenever they hear a sound. The feature is based on a medical method called pure-tone audiometry, which is commonly used in clinics to check hearing ability across different sound frequencies. What happens after the hearing test? Once the test is complete, Apple creates a detailed hearing summary. This includes: The data is securely stored in the Apple Health app and can also be shared with doctors or hearing specialists if needed. Apple says this feature could help people identify hearing problems early, especially because hearing loss often develops slowly and may go unnoticed for years. Also read: Are scientists closer to solving the mystery of Bermuda Triangle?
AirPods can also work like hearing aids The update goes beyond just testing hearing. Based on the user’s hearing profile, the AirPods can also provide hearing assistance in real time. For users with mild to moderate hearing loss, the earbuds can amplify surrounding sounds and conversations. This may help people hear voices more clearly during meetings, conversations, or everyday activities. Why Apple is focusing on hearing health Apple says the feature was developed using insights from the Apple Hearing Study and years of research into hearing technologies. According to the company, earlier attempts using connected headphones faced issues like poor sound consistency and noisy environments. However, improvements in AirPods hardware, audio processing, and noise isolation have now made the technology more reliable. Apple’s Vice President of Health, Sumbul Desai, said the goal is to give users tools that help them understand and manage their health more easily. Also read: AI-powered govt planned on remote island in the Philippines:17 digital avatars, including Gandhi and Mandela
A step towards smarter health gadgets With features like heart-rate tracking, sleep monitoring, hearing tests, and breathing analysis, Apple is slowly transforming its devices into personal health tools. For AirPods users, this update could be especially useful because it makes hearing checks easier, quicker, and more accessible, all without stepping into a clinic.