AirPods Pro may soon serve as hearing aids. In the coming week – starting October 28 – Apple plans to release related updates that will unlock previously announced functionality. Specifically, these are iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS 15.1 Sequoia and a new firmware for AirPods Pro 2. The manufacturer confirmed this to the American media.
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Hearing tests, hearing aids and hearing protection
Additionally, the in-ears provide protection from loud external noise as standard hearing protection. A new algorithm aims to ensure that concerts and live events continue to sound normally, despite attenuation of around 20 to 30 decibels depending on the mode selected. According to Apple, the hearing protection is designed for loud environments up to approximately 110 dB(A). It does not provide protection against sudden individual sounds, such as extremely loud bangs.
In the Health app on iPhone and iPad, you can perform clinically validated pure-tone hearing tests with AirPods Pro 2 and log the results. For mild to moderate hearing loss, iOS 18.1 allows in-ears to be configured as hearing aids and Audiograms to be used for telephone calls and media playback on the device – as well as with other Apple devices. Also done in combination.
iOS 18.1: Likely release on October 28
However, sometimes it takes several weeks for users to become accustomed to the sound of the hearing aid function. Apple explained to The VergeThe hearing aid can be adjusted in the settings. The recently introduced AirPods 4 do not support hearing tests, hearing aids, or enhanced hearing protection functions.
iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 are the first major updates to Apple’s latest operating system. They bring many new features and should also resolve bugs and issues that are currently plaguing users. The main innovation is the introduction of Apple Intelligence. Recently it was speculated that the update would appear next Monday, October 28.
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