What AirPods Pro can and cannot do for hearing

AirPods Pro have a feature called Conversation Boost that amplifies voices around you, and Adaptive Audio that adjusts what you hear based on your environment. These tools can make it easier to follow conversations in noisy settings or hear someone speaking across a room. However, they are not a replacement for hearing aids — they do not test your hearing, adjust sound in the precise way an audiologist would, and they do not work with the medical-grade technology that hearing aids use.

If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, a hearing aid fitted by an audiologist will almost always work better for your specific type of loss. AirPods Pro are useful if you want general sound amplification for specific moments — a conversation at a restaurant, a lecture, a family gathering — but they should not be your only tool if you have consistent hearing difficulty.

Key Takeaways

  • Conversation Boost amplifies voices in your environment and works best when you point your iPhone toward the person speaking.
  • Adaptive Audio switches between Conversation Boost, Transparency mode, and standard listening based on what it detects around you.
  • You control these features through the AirPods Pro settings in the Accessibility menu on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • AirPods Pro work only with Apple devices and require iOS 16.1 or later, iPadOS 16.1 or later, or macOS 13.1 or later.
  • These features are useful for occasional amplification but do not replace a hearing aid if you have diagnosed hearing loss.

How to turn on Conversation Boost

Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Toggle Headphone Accommodations on. Then select Conversation Boost from the list of options.

Once Conversation Boost is active, hold your iPhone toward the person you want to hear. The microphone on your phone picks up their voice and sends it louder through your AirPods Pro. You can adjust the boost level by moving the slider up or down in the same menu — higher settings amplify more, but may also pick up background noise.

Conversation Boost works best in moderately noisy environments like restaurants or offices. In very loud spaces, it may struggle to isolate the voice you want to hear. In very quiet spaces, you may not notice much difference.

How to use Adaptive Audio

Adaptive Audio is a separate feature that automatically switches between three modes: Conversation Boost, Transparency mode (which lets outside sound in), and standard listening. To turn it on, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations, then toggle Adaptive Audio on.

Once active, Adaptive Audio listens to your environment and decides which mode to use. If it detects conversation, it switches to Conversation Boost. If it detects you are moving or in a quiet space, it may switch to Transparency or standard listening. You do not have to manually change modes — the system does it for you.

Some people find Adaptive Audio helpful because it reduces the need to fiddle with settings throughout the day. Others find it switches modes at unexpected times. If you prefer to control amplification yourself, stick with Conversation Boost alone and leave Adaptive Audio off.

Adjusting volume and boost levels

When Conversation Boost is on, you control the strength of amplification in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations. A slider labeled Boost Level lets you increase or decrease how much the voices are amplified. Start at the middle and move it up until voices are clear without sounding distorted.

You can also adjust the overall volume of your AirPods Pro using the volume buttons on your device or by saying "Hey Siri, turn up the volume." The boost level and overall volume work together — if the boost is high but your AirPods volume is low, you will not hear much difference.

If you find that even at maximum boost, you still cannot hear conversations clearly, that is a sign that AirPods Pro may not be enough for your hearing needs. A hearing aid assessment with an audiologist would be the next step.

Which devices work with these features

Conversation Boost and Adaptive Audio work only on Apple devices. You need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running a recent operating system: iOS 16.1 or later, iPadOS 16.1 or later, or macOS 13.1 or later. Your AirPods Pro must also be up to date — you can check this in Settings > General > About > AirPods Pro.

If you use Android, Windows, or older Apple devices, these hearing features are not available. In that case, you would need to explore other options, such as hearing aids, over-the-counter hearing amplifiers, or accessibility features built into your specific device.

When to consider a hearing aid instead

A hearing aid is worth considering if you have trouble hearing in most situations — not just at restaurants or lectures, but in everyday conversation at home, on phone calls, or in group settings. Hearing aids are programmed by an audiologist to match your specific hearing loss pattern, which AirPods Pro cannot do.

Hearing aids also last much longer on a single charge (typically a full day or more), work across all devices and situations, and are designed to be worn all day. AirPods Pro need to be charged every few hours and work only when you have them in and your iPhone nearby.

If you have not had a hearing test, that is the first step. An audiogram — a test that shows which frequencies you hear well and which you do not — costs between $0 and $300 depending on where you go. Many community health centers, senior centers, and hearing aid retailers offer free or low-cost screening tests. Once you know your hearing pattern, you can decide whether AirPods Pro amplification is enough or whether a hearing aid makes more sense.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Conversation Boost is on but you do not hear a difference, check that your iPhone microphone is not blocked and that you are pointing it toward the person speaking. Also check that your AirPods Pro are fully charged — low battery can reduce performance. If the boost sounds distorted or uncomfortable, lower the boost level slider in Settings.

If Adaptive Audio keeps switching modes when you do not want it to, turn it off and use Conversation Boost alone. If your AirPods Pro are not connecting to your device, forget them in Bluetooth settings and re-pair them. Make sure your device software is current — outdated iOS or macOS can cause compatibility issues.

If none of these steps help, restart your iPhone or Mac, then restart your AirPods Pro by placing them in their case for 15 seconds. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes interfere with audio features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do AirPods Pro work as well as hearing aids?

No. Hearing aids are customized to your specific hearing loss by an audiologist, while AirPods Pro amplify all sound equally. Hearing aids also have longer battery life and work in more situations. AirPods Pro are useful for occasional amplification but not as a primary hearing solution.

Can I use Conversation Boost without holding my iPhone toward someone?

Conversation Boost works best when your iPhone microphone points toward the speaker, but it will still pick up some sound if your phone is in your pocket or on a table. The amplification will be weaker and may include more background noise. For the clearest result, hold your phone toward the person speaking.

Will Conversation Boost work at a concert or loud event?

Conversation Boost is designed for moderately noisy environments like restaurants, not for very loud events. At a concert, it will amplify everything equally — music, crowd noise, and voices — so it may not help you hear a specific person. Transparency mode might be more useful in that situation.

Do I need to pay extra to use these features?

No. Conversation Boost and Adaptive Audio are built into AirPods Pro at no additional cost. You need to own AirPods Pro and have them paired with an Apple device, but the features themselves are free.

What should I do if I think I have hearing loss?

Start with a hearing test from an audiologist or your primary care doctor. Many community health centers and hearing aid retailers offer free screening tests. Once you know your hearing pattern, you can decide whether AirPods Pro, a hearing aid, or another tool is right for you.