My son is running the RC beta ios which are the golden bits expected to drop next week. He says:
"Hearing test is live. It’s quite nice, smooth, easy, pretty thorough.
Hearing aid mode is an improvement over previous transparency+ mode, but not earth shattering."
WH
I borrowed my partner’s AirPods Pro 2 and loaded my audiogram into 18.1 RC.
Not really getting much out of “Hearing Aid” mode. Reminds me very much of how enhanced Transparency Mode sounded with Headphone Accommodations. It was the thing I’d pick if I left my real hearing aids at home (Intent 2 now, formerly OG Lively rechargeables.) If I take them out, my partner is honestly not much less intelligible.
The media enhancement mode is really, really good with music. Highly recommended.
How bad are your ears? Are they mild to moderate?
Asking me? I have normal on the low end sloping toward severe at the high. You can see the audiogram linked under my name there.
I’m aware the feature is for “perceived mild to moderate hearing loss” but that’s not really defined. If you look at the way Apple calculates my dBHL, it’s “mild” 
But even if it’s not intended for me, maybe that’s good info for someone who has similar hearing loss and is considering a purchase. Try before you buy, or at least make sure you can return.
Sorry. I still haven’t got used seeing others audiograms as part of their profile.
I have mild to moderate in the medium and high frequencies but my left ear is worse than my right.
I’ve been using the Airpods for a month or so after seeing Apple’s keynote in September and they work really well for me.
I also have tinnitus in my left ear and I find the rain background sound really good and masks it quite well.
I’ve also rediscovered listening to music too thanks to the Airpods.
No worries! It just wasn’t clear if you were asking me or not. Anyway, glad to help out.
The music thing is great. I have been loving the same kind of thing from all kinds of AirPods for years. (It is currently unclear to me whether that’s going to be just an AirPods Pro 2 feature going forward or not, but we should have some more information tomorrow when 18.1 officially releases.)
Not for everyone though:
Just set up AirPro2’s with iOS 18.1 hearing test. Along the way the AirPods firmware updated to 7B19. Seems to work pretty well. The audiogram matches the one I had at Costco a month ago pretty closely, within 5db or so. In my case, I would use the Airpods in situations where I want to be able to use noise cancellation, like lawn work, flying etc. as well after a shower waiting for my ears to dry out. (My HA’s have closed domes). For normal use, I’ll stick with my HA’s but it’s nice to know I have a usable spare.
(My audiogram changed since the last one a couple of years ago. Actually got better in the right ear where I had a response dip due to a noise trauma. Now the ears are pretty well balanced. I can’t find how to change my audiogram in my profile. If anyone haas any hints, I’d appreciate it.)
If AAP2 are setup with an audiogram on one device and then used with another device where an audiogram is not setup do they return to a neutral sound?
I have a pair I sometimes share and want to understand what the other person will hear. AAP2 can pair to two devices making things even less clear. Apple needs to put out more guidance which hopefully FDA required.
Got it! Thanks for the instructions.
Just updated to iOS 18.1, took Apple hearing test and created audiogram. Imported into Compass GPS and re-programmed my Widex Moment 440’s from scratch. So far so good. Easy to use and the quality of streaming music into my AirPods Pro 2 is a joy.
The Airpods definitely have the Audiogram installed in them as they can be used without an iPhone anywhere near.
I occasionally use Back ground sounds but in that instance the sounds come from the iPhone and you have to switch them on and off via the iPhone.
I switch Bluetooth from my Mac Mini to the iPhone and back again a dozen times a day.
I’m not definite on this but I think you would have to apply a different Audiogram or set it to no Audiogram using a different iPhone to change it.
Does that make sense? I will pair the Airpods to my wife’s iPhone tomorrow to see what happens.
Strange list, with places like France (the entire EU) and Canada missing. A Canadian user here solved this “problem” by taking a trip to the US…
For the EU, I suspect this omission has to do with its legal cap on the audio output of consumer devices at 85 db. The notion of OTC HAs or earbuds that are suitable for the hearing-impaired has yet to penetrate those thick skulls in Brussels…
APP2 update is out 7B19
Paired with iOS 18.1
You can upload your own Audiogram from your Audiologist exam printout. The new Apple Hearing Mode will auto configured. User can do slight tweaking to help improve performance.
The UK is missing too as we also have a closed shop when it comes to hearing aids. I also see that the Hearing Protection feature is only available in five locations including Canada which cannot use the Aipods as hearing aids.
Can I ask who the Canadian user was please? I would love to ask a couple of questions. Thanks.
I too upgraded the APP2 and took the hearing test.
I’ve been using the AirPods for hearing assistance for several years. Right now I’m trying the hearing test results rather than my uploaded audiogram. The test is quite simple. You can certainly tell the difference with hearing assistance off by toggling on and off Media Assist while playing music, etc.
For me, the AirPods really shine for phone calls, watching TV, and of course, music quality is superb. They are also better than my over-the-ear defenders when using a chainsaw, etc.
For those considering this option, keep in mind there are several models of AirPods. ONLY the AirPods Pro 2 have hearing assistance capability. Also, both your iPhone and AirPods have to be updated to the latest software.
They are quite often on sale for $200.
The Hearing Aid feature for Airpods Pro is available in New Zealand. I got a publicity email from Apple announcing the hearing aid delivery.
