AirPods Pro 2 Hearing aid Feature Testing

Project Objectives

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 include hearing aid software designed for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. As consumer technologies increasingly offer hearing support features, there is a need for independent evaluation to understand how well these features perform and how they compare with established hearing aid standards.

The objective of this project was to independently assess the performance of the AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Feature, with a focus on amplification for live speech and listening in noisy environments. The work aimed to provide evidence-based information to support informed decision-making by clinicians, researchers, and people with hearing loss.

Key Findings

Laboratory measurements showed that the AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Feature can provide effective amplification for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Amplification in the mid-frequency range, which is critical for understanding speech, was generally consistent with established hearing aid prescription targets.

Differences from prescription targets were also observed. Low-frequency sounds were amplified more than typically recommended, and limits were identified in the level of amplification provided for louder sounds, particularly for individuals with greater hearing loss.

In noisy listening conditions, use of the optional Conversation Boost feature improved access to speech by increasing focus on sounds coming from in front of the listener. Measurable improvements in speech clarity were observed, with additional benefit when background noise reduction was enabled.  The level of improvement observed is more limited than advanced conventional hearing aids

Overall, the results indicate that AirPods Pro 2 may provide useful hearing support for some individuals, while also highlighting important limitations.

Next Steps and Potential Applications

The findings from this project provide independent evidence to support clinical guidance and consumer decision-making regarding the use of AirPods Pro 2 for hearing assistance. The results suggest that these devices may be suitable as a hearing support option for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

This work also contributes to broader understanding of how consumer technologies are being integrated into hearing care. Future research will focus on real-world performance and user experience across a wider range of listening situations.

A research study investigating usage of AirPods Pro as hearing aids during user’s daily life is currently underway.