Apple has revealed more about the upcoming Hearing Health features for AirPods Pro 2, which will be introduced with the iOS 18.1 update next week. These new features are designed to offer advanced hearing protection and assistance, including a hearing test to fine-tune the sound for individual users. The AirPods Pro 2 can then act as hearing aids, providing personalized audio experiences for those with hearing impairments.
Despite the exciting capabilities, the features will only be compatible with second-generation AirPods Pro and won’t be available worldwide at launch. Apple has confirmed that these new Hearing Health functionalities will be limited to users in the United States and Canada. This means that even if users have the necessary hardware and iOS 18.1 installed in other regions, they won’t be able to access these features right away.
The geographic restriction is likely tied to regulatory requirements. Apple has received FDA authorization in the U.S., allowing the AirPods Pro 2 to be classified as clinical-grade hearing aids. However, the company will likely need approval from health authorities in other countries before expanding the availability of these features globally.
For those in the U.S. and Canada, the process to activate the new features is straightforward. Users will need to update their iPhone or iPad to iOS 18.1 and then navigate to the AirPods settings to access the Hearing Health options. These options will be available on both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2, ensuring compatibility with different models.
The iOS 18.1 update, which includes these hearing enhancements, will be released to the public next week. A Release Candidate version has already been distributed to developers and beta testers, providing a preview of the new functionalities before the full public rollout. While the features will initially have limited availability, they mark a significant advancement in hearing assistance technology.
