AirPods Pro 2 are the only Apple model with hearing aid features built in

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are the only AirPods that include hearing aid functionality. Apple added this feature in a software update in late 2023, making them the first mainstream consumer earbuds to double as a hearing aid. The feature is called Hearing Aid Mode, and it amplifies sound around you so you can hear conversations and environmental noise more clearly.

Standard AirPods, AirPods Max, and AirPods Pro (1st generation) do not have this feature. If you own an older model, you cannot add hearing aid functionality through a software update — it requires the specific hardware in AirPods Pro 2.

This matters because hearing aid features are separate from the general accessibility tools (like Live Listen or audio descriptions) that work across all AirPods models. Hearing Aid Mode is designed specifically to help people with mild to moderate hearing loss understand speech and ambient sound in real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have hearing aid features; other AirPods models cannot be updated to include them.
  • Hearing Aid Mode amplifies sound from your environment and can be customized to your hearing profile through a quick test on your iPhone or iPad.
  • The feature works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but you need iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, or macOS Sonoma 14.1 or later.
  • Hearing Aid Mode is not a replacement for prescription hearing aids, but it may help you understand conversations and environmental sounds without a formal diagnosis.

How Hearing Aid Mode works on AirPods Pro 2

When you turn on Hearing Aid Mode, your AirPods Pro 2 pick up sound from the microphones built into each earbud and amplify it based on your hearing profile. The amplification is tuned to your specific needs — you do not get a one-size-fits-all boost. Instead, Apple guides you through a brief hearing test on your device that measures how you hear different frequencies, then adjusts the amplification accordingly.

The test takes about three minutes. You listen to tones at different pitches and volumes, tap your screen when you hear them, and the system builds a profile. Once that is done, Hearing Aid Mode uses that profile every time you wear your AirPods Pro 2. You can also adjust the amplification manually if the default settings do not feel right.

The feature works in real time — you hear amplified sound as it happens around you, which makes it useful for conversations at a dinner table, in a meeting, or in a noisy environment. Unlike some hearing aids, there is no lag or delay.

What devices and software you need

Hearing Aid Mode requires specific versions of Apple's operating systems. You need iOS 17.1 or later on your iPhone, iPadOS 17.1 or later on your iPad, or macOS Sonoma 14.1 or later on your Mac. If your device is older and cannot run these versions, you cannot use Hearing Aid Mode even if you own AirPods Pro 2.

You also need to set up the hearing test on at least one of your devices. Once you do, the hearing profile syncs across all your Apple devices through iCloud, so you do not have to repeat the test on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac separately.

The feature works whether your AirPods Pro 2 are connected to your phone, tablet, or computer. You can switch between devices and keep the same hearing profile active.

How Hearing Aid Mode differs from other AirPods accessibility features

Live Listen is a different feature available on all AirPods models. It turns your iPhone or iPad into a remote microphone — you place your device across a room and listen to what it picks up through your AirPods. It is useful if someone is speaking from a distance, but it does not amplify based on your hearing profile the way Hearing Aid Mode does.

Conversation Boost is another accessibility tool that enhances speech in noisy environments, but it is not the same as Hearing Aid Mode. Conversation Boost focuses specifically on making voices louder relative to background noise, while Hearing Aid Mode amplifies all sound based on your personal hearing test.

Hearing Aid Mode is also different from audio descriptions and mono audio, which are general accessibility settings that work across all Apple devices and all AirPods. Those features help people with different disabilities; Hearing Aid Mode is specifically for people with hearing loss.

Whether Hearing Aid Mode can replace a prescription hearing aid

Hearing Aid Mode is not a medical device and is not intended to replace a prescription hearing aid. It may help you understand conversations and environmental sound if you have mild to moderate hearing loss, but it has not been cleared by the FDA as a hearing aid replacement. If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss by an audiologist, a prescription hearing aid is still the recommended option.

That said, Hearing Aid Mode can be useful if you suspect you have hearing loss but have not yet seen an audiologist. It gives you a sense of what amplification feels like and whether it helps you in everyday situations. Some people use it as a temporary tool while they wait for an appointment or while they decide whether to pursue a formal hearing aid.

The hearing test built into Hearing Aid Mode is not a medical hearing test. It measures how you perceive sound on your device, but it does not diagnose hearing loss or determine what type of hearing aid you might need. A real audiologist uses specialized equipment in a soundproof room and can identify the specific frequencies where you have loss.

Setting up Hearing Aid Mode on your AirPods Pro 2

Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Go to Accessibility, then Audio/Visual (on iPhone and iPad) or Hearing (on Mac). Scroll down to Hearing Aid Mode and tap or click it. You will see an option to take a hearing test — this is where you listen to tones and tell your device when you hear them.

After you complete the test, Hearing Aid Mode turns on automatically. You can adjust the amplification level using a slider, or you can turn the feature on and off from Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. On Mac, you can toggle it in System Settings or from the menu bar.

If you want to retake the hearing test because your hearing has changed or the results did not feel right, you can do that anytime. Just go back to the same settings menu and select "Take Hearing Test" again. Your new profile will replace the old one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy new AirPods Pro 2 if I already own an older model?

Yes, if you want Hearing Aid Mode. The feature is only available on AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Older AirPods Pro, standard AirPods, and AirPods Max cannot be updated to include this feature because it requires specific hardware in the newer model.

Can I use Hearing Aid Mode with non-Apple earbuds?

No. Hearing Aid Mode is exclusive to AirPods Pro 2 and only works on Apple devices. Other brands of earbuds do not have this feature, though some standalone hearing aid apps exist for other devices.

Will Hearing Aid Mode work if I have severe hearing loss?

Hearing Aid Mode is designed for mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe hearing loss, a prescription hearing aid will likely provide better amplification and more precise tuning. Talk to an audiologist about what level of amplification you need.

Can I share my hearing profile with someone else?

No. Each person's hearing profile is personal and based on their own hearing test. If someone else wants to use Hearing Aid Mode, they need to take their own hearing test on their device and create their own profile.

What if the hearing test does not feel accurate?

You can retake the test anytime and adjust the amplification level manually using the slider in settings. If the results still do not feel right after a few tries, talk to an audiologist about getting a professional hearing test, which is more detailed and accurate than the one built into your device.