If you own a pair of AirPods Pro 2 ...you now own a pair of clinical-grade hearing aids too.
Yes, the latest software upgrade from Apple transforms its most popular Bluetooth earbuds into a critical medical device capable of compensating for mild- to moderate hearing loss.
Apple originally announced this clever functionality alongside the latest iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and redesigned AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation in September last year during an event held at its spaceship-like headquarters in Cupertino, California.
The "clinical-grade" status of the new hearing aid feature requires Apple to seek regulatory approval before it can release the update. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the green light for AirPods Pro 2 owners to receive the update across the United States in October last year.
Following a shake-up in the guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care last month, the AirPods Pro 2 feature is now available across the UK.
NHS figures show that 1 in 3 adults in the UK are deaf or experience hearing loss or tinnitus. That increases to over 1 in 2 people over the age of 55, where roughly 53% of adults rely on hearing aids.
"At Apple, we believe that technology can help people live healthier lives, and we’re delighted to bring the Hearing Aid feature to the UK, offering our users an end-to-end hearing health experience with AirPods Pro 2," explained Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple Vice President of Health.
AirPods Pro 2 — the best-selling earbuds on the planet, according to Apple — cost £229.
However, these noise-cancelling earbuds can often be found on-sale, with prices dropping as low as £179. If you've got a pair of these premium earbuds, the latest software features land at no additional cost.
With the Hearing Aid feature enabled, the AirPods Pro 2 will amplify sounds to help you stay connected with their environment. Using a personalised hearing profile built up after taking a new Hearing Test baked into the Settings app, your AirPods will automatically boost the sounds you struggle most to hear in real-time.
Save £31 on AirPods Pro 2 at EE
If you don't already own a pair of AirPods Pro 2, the incoming Hearing Aids feature could be the perfect time to upgrade. You'll need to spend £229 in the Apple Store to pocket a pair of these wireless earbuds (although you'll benefit from free laser engraving!) but EE has slashed £31 off the cost of these brand-new 'buds. You don't need to be an existing EE broadband or SIM customer to qualify for this brilliant offer
The Hearing Aid feature will continue to work in the background even as you're listening to music, a podcast, or watching video on your device — keeping the world around you accessible and clear.
A new mode called Conversation Boost will emphasise the person talking in front of you using the beam-forming microphones on the AirPods Pro 2, orginally designed for clearer hands-free calls.
AirPods Pro 2 store everything needed to improve your hearing on the device itself, so you can switch between devices — like an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV — to binge-watch a Netflix show, make a WhatsApp call, or listen to the world around you, and there's no need to set-up a new hearing profile or adjust any settings.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the change was an example of the UK ripping out "pointless red tape." He said: "By harnessing innovation in UK healthcare, we can turn our country into a medical technology superpower. That’s why the government stripped back pointless red tape so these groundbreaking hearing aids could be launched in the UK.
"It is estimated that half of people with hearing problems don’t use hearing aids, so new products like this can help more people better manage their health. As technology turbo-charges, we will work hand-in-hand with business to make sure as many Brits as possible reap the rewards.
"Our Plan for Change will utilise this kind of cutting-edge technology to shift healthcare from hospitals into the community, with better results for patients."
As well as bolstering hard-to-hear sounds, the software update for AirPods Pro 2 makes these 'buds better at minimising your exposure to loud environmental noise while preserving the entire dynamic range of what you're listening to. Dubbed Loud Sound Reduction, the built-in H2 chipset actively reduces louder noises 48,000 times every second.
The feature, which is enabled by default in Transparency and Adaptive Audio listening modes, can be helpful in a variety of settings. Apple has specifically added a new "multiband high dynamic range algorithm" that aims to preserve the sound at live events, like concerts, to ensure it sounds more natural and vibrant — even if you're wearing your AirPods Pro 2 to protect your hearing.
Apple has shipped a Noise app on its Apple Watch smartwatches for a long time.
This app serves as a warning when the decibel levels in your environment exceed the safe limits that could potentially damage your hearing. To get started with the Hearing Aid functionality baked into your AirPods Pro 2, you'll need to start with the Hearing Test feature. This takes approximately five minutes to complete and can be done from home using a compatible iPhone or iPad.
You'll hear various tones and bleeps at different volumes and you'll need to tap on the screen to register when you've heard a tone.
Upon completion, this will provide a comprehensive score indicating any hearing loss and its severity. Results include an audiogram and are securely stored in the Health app, where they can be shared with healthcare providers. The test uses pure-tone audiometry — a gold-standard clinical approach — and is available for users aged 18 and above with iOS 18.2 or later.
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide live with hearing loss, a figure projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. Research indicates that untreated hearing loss can impact overall health and wellbeing, including increased risks of social isolation and dementia.
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When the software update is finally available to AirPod Pro 2 owners in the UK, here's how to update the firmware running on these wireless earbuds to the latest version:
- Ensure your AirPods are within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi
- Place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid
- Connect the charging cable to your case and plug it into a USB charger
- Keep the case closed for at least 30 minutes while the firmware updates
- Open the lid to reconnect your AirPods to your device
- If the update hasn't completed, you may need to reset your AirPods and try again.
The update will be delivered automatically while charging, but you can check your current firmware version through your device's settings. If you charge your AirPods overnight beside your iPhone, the update should take place seamlessly in the coming weeks as soon as Apple flicks the switch.
According to NHS guidance, Britons who have not undergone a clinical assessment should see a GP if:
- You think your hearing is getting gradually worse
- You've had treatment for an ear infection or earwax build-up but your hearing has not come back
- You have sudden hearing loss in one or both of your ears
- Your hearing has been getting worse over the last few days or weeks
- You have hearing loss along with other symptoms, like earache or discharge coming out of the ear
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