# AirPods Pro 2 Receives Another Firmware Update: Anticipated Hearing Aid Features
Apple is once again enhancing its AirPods Pro 2 with a new firmware update, just a week after the previous update that added new features for iOS 18. The latest firmware, identified by build number 7A302 (an increase from 7A294), is expected to enable hearing aid functionalities, marking a pivotal advancement in Apple’s initiative to incorporate health-oriented features into its widely-used wireless earbuds.
## FDA-Approved Hearing Aid Functionalities
This firmware update is in line with the recent FDA endorsement of AirPods Pro 2’s hearing aid capabilities. This approval allows Apple to market its high-end earbuds as a comprehensive solution for hearing health, featuring functions that emphasize prevention, awareness, and support. Here’s an overview of these new features:
### 1. **Prevention**
– The ear tips of AirPods Pro 2 offer passive noise reduction, and the H2 chip actively mitigates loud, sporadic sounds at an extraordinary rate of 48,000 times per second. This functionality, known as Hearing Protection, is automatically activated across all listening modes and is intended to safeguard users’ hearing in environments with high noise levels. Furthermore, a new multiband high dynamic range algorithm enhances the noise reduction capabilities.
### 2. **Awareness**
– Users can now perform a clinical-grade hearing assessment directly through their AirPods Pro 2. This assessment, based on pure-tone audiometry (a conventional clinical method), lasts approximately five minutes and provides an interactive experience. After completing the assessment, users receive a report summarizing their findings, including a metric indicating hearing loss in each ear, a classification, and tailored recommendations.
### 3. **Assistance**
– Using the individualized hearing profile derived from the hearing assessment, AirPods Pro 2 can now operate as a clinical-grade hearing aid. This feature adjusts the auditory environment dynamically in real-time, facilitating better engagement in conversations and enhanced awareness of surrounding sounds.
*You’ll find options to set up the AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids in the iPhone. Image source: Apple Inc.*
## Additional Features Introduced with iOS 18
Alongside the hearing aid features, the previous firmware update introduced a variety of new functionalities to the AirPods Pro 2, improving both user experience and performance. These encompass:
– **Siri Interactions**: Users can now reply to Siri prompts by simply nodding their head for “yes” or shaking their head for “no.”
– **Personalized Spatial Audio for Gaming**: A new API permits developers to create immersive audio experiences, placing users directly in the action.
– **In-Game Voice Quality**: Enhanced sound quality within games, now reaching up to 16 bits at 48 kHz, guarantees clear communication during gaming sessions.
– **Voice Isolation**: This feature elevates call quality by concentrating on the user’s voice, even amid noisy or windy conditions.
– **Reduced Gaming Audio Latency**: For gamers, audio latency has been minimized, providing a more fluid experience during gameplay.
## How to Update AirPods Pro 2 Firmware
Although Apple does not provide a formal procedure for manually updating AirPods firmware, updates generally occur automatically when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone via Bluetooth. To facilitate the update, it’s advisable to keep both devices charging together for at least 30 minutes.
To verify if your AirPods Pro 2 have received the latest firmware, adhere to these steps:
1. Open the **Settings** application on your iPhone.
2. Go to the **Bluetooth** section.
3. Locate your AirPods in the list and tap the “i” next to them.
4. Confirm the firmware version displayed.
If your AirPods have not been updated yet, you will need to await the automatic installation of the update, as Apple does not permit manual firmware upgrades.
## Latest Firmware Versions for AirPods and Beats
As of this update, the subsequent AirPods and Beats products have been updated to the latest firmware:
– **AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)**: 7A302
– **AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning)**: 7A302
Through these updates, Apple persists in expanding what its AirPods Pro 2 can provide, particularly in the area of hearing health. As the company continues to embed more health-related features into its devices, the AirPods Pro 2 is evolving into more than just a premium audio accessory—it’s becoming an essential instrument for hearing health and well-being.
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*For further updates on AirPods and other Apple offerings, stay connected with BGR.*
