I received an email with some steps to better tune up the AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids. I asked permission to reshare here (lightly edited for formatting). I assume mileage may vary given everyone’s hearing is different. Let me know if it works for you!
AirPods Pro as Hearing Aids - Sound Modification Info
I’m a retired sound engineer / live sound mixer with some mild hearing loss. I wanted to try the new AirPods Pro as hearing aids, so I purchased a pair, took the hearing test on my iPhone running iOS 18.1, and… didn’t like the sound. They sounded overly bright and “crunchy” to me, so I did some experimenting modifying the sound and really like the results. I wanted to share this info.
Here’s what I did:
Step 1: Access Current Hearing Test Results
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With Bluetooth enabled, go to your current hearing test results:
Settings → Apps → Health → Data Access and Devices → Settings → Hearing Test Results -
Write down the current settings listed for each ear. You’ll need this info as a starting point to create a new, custom hearing test result.
Step 2: Create a New Custom Hearing Test Result
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Go to:
Settings → (your) AirPods Pro → Hearing Assistance → Media Assist (turn on) → Update Hearing Test Results → Add Hearing Test Result (scroll to bottom of page) → Add Manually → Enter Results Manually -
Select:
Cross and Circle icons → Continue → Select frequencies: 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz, 4kHz, 6kHz, 8kHz → Continue -
Add Values:
Enter the values from your test results that you are currently using for the Left ear (blue cross) and Right ear (red circle) for each frequency up to 1kHz. -
Press Continue after entering the values for each frequency.
Step 3: Modify High-Frequency Values
Now you are going to enter different numbers from 2kHz to 8kHz. This is the range where speech clarity and intelligibility reside. Over-amplification in this range can make sounds like rattling car keys or rustling paper unnatural and irritating.
Using your test result numbers as a reference, try the following adjustments:
- At 2kHz: Subtract 3 from your test result for both left & right ears.
- At 3kHz: Subtract 6 from your test result for both left & right ears.
- At 4kHz: Subtract 8 from your test result for both left & right ears.
- At 6kHz and 8kHz: Subtract 10 from your test result for both left & right ears.
After entering the values for 8kHz, press Continue, then select Done if you’re sure you have entered all the values correctly.
Step 4: Compare the Original and Custom Settings
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After pressing Done, you’ll be on a page showing your hearing test results, including the custom one you just manually entered. At the top, it says “Choose a Hearing Test Result.”
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Don’t select the new hearing test results yet. With your AirPods Pro in your ears, play some music (from an external stereo system in your home or car) with vocals from the beginning of a song and listen for about 30 seconds.
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As the music is playing, select the new custom hearing test results from the “Choose a Hearing Test Result” page (it will show the date of the test result) to hear the difference between the original and the new settings.
Step 5: Enable the New Custom Setting
- Select the new hearing test result, then follow these prompts:
- Select “Next”
- Select “Set Up Hearing Aid”
- Select “Get Started”
- Select “Next”
- Select “Turn On Hearing Aid”
You’ll now hear the new custom setting. Voila! Select Done.
Step 6: Decide on Your Preferred Setting
At this point, you can decide which setting you prefer. You can always return to the “Choose a Hearing Test Result” page and choose the original test result or any other test results you create.