iPhones and AirPods now come with hearing health tools. Here’s how they work.
Apple’s $249 wireless earbuds may help some hear the world better, not just block it out.

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{I've used all mine up.}

By Chris Velazco
November 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. EST

Over the last decade, I’ve noticed myself becoming that guy at parties and dinners. You know — the one who always busts up a conversation with a “Say again?” or a “Can you repeat that?”

Years of listening to loud music probably hasn’t helped. But for some people, popping in a pair of AirPods just might help. ... Thanks to some recent software updates, you can use a pair of Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds to take a hearing test, more proactively protect your ears from loud sounds, and in some cases, stand in for more conventional, over-the-counter hearing aids.

Frankly, you should consider taking some of these features for a spin, even if you’re convinced you can hear a pin drop. If left untreated, even mild levels of hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline, and the tools to help you ahead of these issues might be packed into gadgets you already own — or were planning to buy anyway.

Here’s what you should know about how Apple’s new hearing tools work.

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{I've used all mine up.}

By Chris Velazco
Chris Velazco covers the technology that shapes people's lives, and offers advice on how best to grapple with it. follow on X chrisvelazco