Apple Confirms AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Features Launching in iOS 18.1 Next Week

[MacRumors]

Apple will release iOS 18.1 next week, introducing a suite of advanced hearing health capabilities to the AirPods Pro 2 and the first Apple Intelligence features.

The timing of the update was confirmed by reviewers who were given early access to the AirPods Pro 2's new hearing health features, which are now known to be included in the update. The update will include three core features: hearing protection, hearing testing, and hearing aid functionality. Apple obtained FDA authorization for the new features last month.

One of the key components of the update is the ability to conduct a hearing test directly from the iPhone. The test works by playing a series of tones across different frequencies and prompting users to respond, much like a clinical hearing test performed by audiologists. The results are stored in the Health app, and users can adjust their AirPods' audio settings accordingly.

If the test indicates hearing loss, the AirPods Pro 2 can automatically configure themselves to act as hearing aids, boosting specific sounds in real time. As Apple's Vice President of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai, explained during Apple's event announcing the feature: "After you take a hearing test, your AirPods Pro are transformed into a personalized hearing aid, boosting the specific sounds you need in real time, like parts of speech, or elements within your environment."

The update also introduces enhanced hearing protection. The feature will continuously monitor the user's environment and reduce the impact of loud sounds, such as traffic or concerts, in real time. This function will be integrated across various listening modes, including noise cancellation and transparency mode. See reviews from The Verge, Wired, TechRadar, CNBC, and Tom's Guide, for first impressions of the feature.

iOS 18.1 also includes the first Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools, text and notification summaries, the ability for Siri to answer questions about Apple products, smart replies to emails and messages, a revamped Clean Up tool in Photos, and more. Further Apple Intelligence features, such as an enhanced version of Siri with ChatGPT integration, will arrive in another update at a later date.

Article Link: Apple Confirms AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Features Launching in iOS 18.1 Next Week

 

[ralph_sws]

hear, hear!

 

[Velin]

Looking forward to the reviews on how well these perform as hearing aids. The sound amplification and tuning is key. If Apple can solve for this via iOS, it's going to be a stellar feature. Being able to do this at home, with iPhone, instead of having an office visit, really would be "magical."

Hoping the reviews are positive.

 

[Kylo83]

This will change my life, I’ve had hearing problems since birth with over 30 operations and now have hearing loss, so I’m so excited, I never wanted to wear hearing aids growing up so I got used to it, I’m excited to try this out, well done Apple

 

[AppleTO]

Is the hearing aid functionally US only? (FDA being mentioned)

 

[Digital Dude]

If Apple’s history is any indication, the feature might be released next week, but it could take a few more months before it actually functions properly. 🙄

 

[spaxxedout]

My favorite feature of the update has been background sounds (been available for a while, but control center shortcut makes it much more usable). Would love to see results of hearing health test to be used to create an individualized brown noise that’s adapted to the user’s hearing profile.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

hear, hear!

Even more better with the Apple iHear Pro app.

 

[Supercyborgninja]

This is life altering for so many people and the cost is a game changer in the hearing aid market.

I’m so so happy and excited for my fellow humans! I still use wired EarPods but this is so great!

 

[charlien]

I’ve been trying the current hearing aid features in my earbuds. It greatly improves things played to the earbuds but I don’t think they do much with the mic for helping with sound around me. Did apple state they will amplify sound around the user?

 

[iamgalt]

I would love to see Apple continue along this path. If they could start to tackle tinnitus, and are able to even slightly reduce that, life would be good.

 

[dumastudetto]

If you don't own AirPods Pro 2, now is the perfect time to buy.

 

[hovscorpion12]

If you don't own AirPods Pro 2, now is the perfect time to buy.

My question is, is it just for the USB-C version or both USB-C and Lightning models.

 

[wanha]

this is great and all but a true killer feature would be to have an AI that listens to my wife's stories about her work day and then whispers in my ear what to reply to her

 

[dannyyankou]

If you don't own AirPods Pro 2, now is the perfect time to buy.

I would wait a bit actually, there’s not many sales on them right now. November there’s usually lots of deals on them.

 

[Starflyer]

this is great and all but a true killer feature would be to have an AI that listens to my wife's stories about her work day and then whispers in my ear what to reply to her

iOS 19

 

[flybass]

I’d love if Apple could formally add a “concert mode.” Some people do it with transparency, but the goal of noise reduction with EQ targeted for music is a bit different.

 

[votdfak]

There's CNET review on subject.

 

[Will Co]

Cool. Can't wait to give it a try.

 

[Naildown]

US and Canada only according to the fine print on this page. Damnit... I need this.

AirPods Pro 2 - Hearing Health

The world’s first end-to-end hearing health experience: scientifically-validated Hearing Test, clinical-grade Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection.

www.apple.com

 

[Godspeed8230]

"I went to thousands of heavy metal concerts and it never hurt me”

But yeah, hearing loss must be horrible. I think Helen Keller said she'd choose hearing over seeing if given the option (she was both deaf and blind).
"The problems of deafness are deeper and more complex, if not more important, than those of blindness. Deafness is a much worse misfortune."

I went to a Bon Iver concert this past spring and I am glad they offered ear plugs - at many points during the concert it was just pure, 100 dB+ noise. Who would have thought?

Protect your ears, guys.

 

[rbbloom99]

As an audiologist, who is also hearing impaired since birth, I dreamed about this product for over 10 years. Noise, cancellation, hearing aids as opposed to the traditional method of just boosting various frequencies. Thank you, Apple and I hope these are the answer to my prayers.

 

[vertsix]

So GM this week. Great!

 

[Thrillhouse74]

My FiL would really benefit from this, but I wonder if they can demo it in the Apple Store first, hate to shell out the money and him not be happy with the functionality.

 

[Entilzha]

If Apple’s history is any indication, the feature might be released next week, but it could take a few more months before it actually functions properly. 🙄

Given that it’s been approved by the FDA, I doubt there are any such concerns.