AirPods Pro can amplify sound around you, but they work differently than a hearing aid

AirPods Pro have a feature called Conversation Boost and Adaptive Audio that make quiet sounds louder and help you hear speech more clearly in noisy places. They are not hearing aids — they do not test your hearing, adjust for specific frequencies the way a hearing aid does, or replace one if you have hearing loss. But if you find yourself turning up the volume on everything or struggling to hear conversations at a distance, AirPods Pro can help you hear better in the moment.

The feature works by using the microphones built into the AirPods to pick up sound around you and send it through the speaker directly into your ear. You control how much amplification you want, and you can turn it on and off when ready. This is useful for one-time situations — a quiet conversation, a lecture, a restaurant where you cannot hear the server — rather than all-day hearing support.

Key Takeaways

  • Conversation Boost amplifies voices and reduces background noise, making it easier to hear people talking near you.
  • You turn on Conversation Boost in Settings on your iPhone or iPad, then adjust the volume slider to control how much sound gets amplified.
  • Adaptive Audio automatically balances conversation and background sound, useful in places like coffee shops or outdoor spaces.
  • AirPods Pro work best for temporary hearing support in specific situations, not as a replacement for a hearing aid if you have diagnosed hearing loss.
  • The feature drains battery faster than normal listening because the microphones are always working to pick up and process sound.

How to turn on Conversation Boost

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and go to Accessibility. Tap Audio/Visual, then scroll down to find Conversation Boost. Toggle it on. The next time you put on your AirPods Pro, the feature will be active.

Once Conversation Boost is on, you control the volume with the volume slider on your iPhone or the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch. The slider adjusts how much amplification you get — move it up to hear quieter sounds more clearly, or down if the amplification feels too strong. You can also use Siri: say "Turn up Conversation Boost" or "Turn down Conversation Boost" to adjust without touching your phone.

If you want to turn Conversation Boost off temporarily without going back into Settings, you can use the Control Center on your iPhone. Swipe down from the top right, find the Hearing section, and tap Conversation Boost to toggle it off. This is faster if you only need amplification for a few minutes.

Using Adaptive Audio for background noise

Adaptive Audio is a separate feature that works alongside Conversation Boost. It automatically adjusts what you hear based on your surroundings — it can focus on conversation while reducing background noise, or it can let in some ambient sound so you stay aware of your environment. This is different from noise cancellation, which blocks sound entirely.

To turn on Adaptive Audio, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Audio/Visual. Scroll to Adaptive Audio and toggle it on. You will see three options: Conversation Boost (which we covered above), Standard, and Transparency. Standard balances conversation and background sound. Transparency lets you hear everything around you while still amplifying speech. Tap the one that fits your situation.

You can switch between these three modes quickly using Control Center on your iPhone. Swipe down from the top right, find Hearing, and tap the mode you want. This lets you change what you are hearing without stopping what you are doing.

When Conversation Boost works well and when it does not

Conversation Boost works best in situations where someone is speaking near you but the sound is too quiet or there is competing background noise. Examples include a one-on-one conversation in a coffee shop, a lecture in a large room, or a quiet family dinner. The feature picks up the speaker's voice through the AirPods microphones and sends it directly to your ears at a volume you control.

Conversation Boost does not work well when the speaker is far away — the microphones on the AirPods have a limited range, usually a few feet. It also does not help if you cannot see the person speaking, because the feature relies on the microphones pointing toward the sound source. If you are in a very loud environment like a concert or busy highway, amplifying the sound may not help much because everything gets louder, not just speech.

If you have hearing loss that affects certain frequencies — for example, you hear low voices fine but struggle with high voices — Conversation Boost will amplify everything equally and may not solve the problem the way a hearing aid would. A hearing aid is programmed to your specific hearing loss pattern. AirPods Pro just turn up the volume.

Battery life and other limitations

Using Conversation Boost drains your AirPods Pro battery faster than normal listening. The microphones are constantly picking up and processing sound, which uses more power than just playing audio. You may notice your AirPods need charging sooner than usual, especially if you use Conversation Boost for several hours a day.

Conversation Boost only works with AirPods Pro — not with AirPods Max, AirPods 3, or earlier AirPods models. You also need an iPhone or iPad running a recent version of iOS or iPadOS. If you use an Android phone, AirPods Pro will still work as regular earbuds, but you will not have access to Conversation Boost or Adaptive Audio.

The feature does not work if your AirPods are not connected to your iPhone or iPad. If you are using them with a Mac or Apple TV, Conversation Boost is not available on those devices yet.

When to consider a hearing aid instead

If you find yourself using Conversation Boost every day for hours at a time, or if you struggle to hear in most situations rather than just a few, a hearing aid may be a better choice. A hearing aid is tested to your specific hearing loss, adjusted to the frequencies you struggle with most, and designed to work all day without draining a battery in a few hours.

You can start by talking to your primary care doctor or asking for a referral to an audiologist. An audiologist will test your hearing and tell you whether hearing loss is the cause of your trouble. If it is, they can fit you with a hearing aid and show you how to use it. Some hearing aids now work with your phone and have features similar to Conversation Boost built in.

AirPods Pro can be a useful tool while you are waiting for a hearing aid appointment, or for situations where you do not want to wear a hearing aid but need a temporary boost. They are not a substitute for professional hearing care if you have diagnosed hearing loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do AirPods Pro work as well as a real hearing aid?

No. A hearing aid is programmed to your specific hearing loss and adjusts for the frequencies you struggle with. AirPods Pro just amplify all sound equally. They work for temporary situations, but if you have hearing loss, a hearing aid will be more effective all day.

Can I use Conversation Boost with one AirPod instead of both?

Yes. Conversation Boost works with one or both AirPods. If you only want to amplify sound in one ear, you can wear just one AirPod and leave the other in the case.

Will Conversation Boost help me hear phone calls better?

Yes, if the person on the call is speaking too quietly. Conversation Boost amplifies the voice coming through your AirPods during a call. You control the volume with the slider on your iPhone, just like with in-person conversation.

Does Conversation Boost work with Siri?

Conversation Boost does not amplify Siri's voice — Siri speaks at a normal volume. But you can use Siri to turn Conversation Boost on and off by saying "Turn on Conversation Boost" or "Turn off Conversation Boost."

Can I use Conversation Boost and noise cancellation at the same time?

No. Conversation Boost and noise cancellation are separate modes. When you turn on Conversation Boost, noise cancellation turns off. If you want to reduce background noise while amplifying speech, use Adaptive Audio in Standard or Conversation Boost mode instead.