# Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Test: A Double-Edged Sword for Users
Apple has consistently been a leader in innovation, and the AirPods Pro 2 exemplify this trend. With the launch of iOS 18.1, users in the US and Canada can now utilize a new **hearing test feature** embedded in the AirPods Pro 2. This tool enables users to evaluate their hearing abilities directly through their earbuds, potentially redefining how individuals track their auditory well-being. Nevertheless, although this feature is a progressive development in health technology, it simultaneously raises issues regarding the extent to which Apple’s devices may have contributed to hearing impairment initially.
### The AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Test: A New Frontier in Health Tech
The newly introduced hearing test function in the AirPods Pro 2 marks a considerable leap in consumer technology. It allows users to conduct a quick and straightforward hearing test, offering insights into their auditory health without needing specialized equipment or an audiologist visit. This is particularly advantageous for individuals lacking easy access to healthcare or those simply interested in their hearing status.
Certain users and reporters have even noted that the AirPods Pro 2, equipped with advanced noise-canceling and adaptive audio features, can serve as **hearing aids** for individuals with mild hearing issues. This is a significant development, especially given that the AirPods Pro 2 recently obtained **FDA approval** for specific hearing aid capabilities. For many, this could signify a revolutionary change, presenting a cost-effective and accessible remedy for mild hearing loss.
### A Personal Experience: The Downside of Constant Earbud Use
However, the new hearing test feature is not met with universal enthusiasm. A particular user, aged 29, recounted their experience after completing the test twice within a 15-hour span. The outcomes were alarming: their hearing had worsened from a mild loss of 15 dBHL (decibels hearing level) three years prior to a more serious loss of 25 dBHL. This decline in auditory capacity over such a brief time caused concern for the user, prompting reflection on their long-term use of Apple’s audio devices.
Like many in their age group, this user grew up with headphones consistently in place, often cranking music to high decibels. From the early days of Apple’s **EarPods** to the advanced AirPods, they invested countless hours listening to bands like *Linkin Park* and *The All-American Rejects* at volumes that were likely unwise. Despite parental advisories to lower the sound, they, like numerous others, disregarded the counsel.
### How AirPods May Have Contributed to Hearing Loss
The user’s narrative is unfortunately common. Numerous individuals who grew up enjoying the convenience of portable media players and earbuds have faced some level of hearing deterioration. While Apple has made significant progress in recent years to implement features that safeguard users’ hearing—such as **volume limiters** and **alerts** when the sound level is excessive—these features are frequently overlooked or misinterpreted, akin to the terms and conditions that most individuals bypass without a second glance.
When Apple initially introduced the original AirPods, they were groundbreaking in convenience and aesthetics. However, their open-ear design allowed considerable external noise to infiltrate, often prompting users to increase the volume to compensate. This was particularly true in loud settings like city streets or on public transit, where users would dial up the sounds to nearly maximum levels just to enjoy their music.
With the advent of **AirPods Pro** and their **noise-canceling** features, Apple somewhat tackled this concern. The noise-canceling capacity enabled users to listen at lower volumes while still relishing a crisp audio experience. However, the introduction of features like **Spatial Audio**—which enhances the listening experience by crafting a more immersive sound landscape—enticed some users to boost the volume once more to truly appreciate the technology’s subtleties.
### The Irony of Hearing Loss from Trying to Hear Better
There’s a certain irony in that some users, in their desire to enjoy the best sound quality, may have unknowingly harmed their hearing. The user who relayed their experience noted that they would frequently raise the volume to fully embrace the details of Spatial Audio, only to later recognize that this might have played a role in their hearing decline.
While Apple has undertaken efforts to inform users about safe listening habits, the harsh reality is that many individuals often disregard these alerts. The company has included features like **Headphone Safety** in iOS, which monitors the volume levels users listen to and provides notifications if they exceed safe thresholds. However, as the user highlighted, these alerts can resemble the digital equivalent of the terms and conditions that most people neglect to read.
### AirPods: Both a Problem and a Solution?
In spite of the apprehensions about
