AirPods can amplify sound around you, but they work differently than hearing aids and have real limits you should know about
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max both have a feature called Conversation Boost that turns them into sound amplifiers. When you turn it on, the microphones pick up voices and sounds in front of you and make them louder in your ears. This can help if you struggle to hear people talking or environmental sounds, but it is not the same as a hearing aid fitted to your specific hearing loss.
The main difference: hearing aids are tuned to your individual audiogram — a test that shows exactly which frequencies you hear poorly. AirPods amplify everything equally. If you have high-frequency hearing loss (trouble hearing women's voices or birds), AirPods will make those sounds louder, but so will they make traffic noise louder. A real hearing aid would boost only the frequencies you need.
That said, if you have mild hearing loss or just want to hear conversations better in noisy places, AirPods can work as a temporary tool or a supplement while you explore other options. They cost less than hearing aids, you probably already own them, and you can turn the feature on and off instantly.
Key Takeaways
- AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have Conversation Boost, which amplifies sound through their microphones, but this is not the same as a hearing aid tuned to your specific hearing loss.
- You turn on Conversation Boost in Settings on your iPhone or iPad under Accessibility, then adjust the volume to what feels comfortable.
- Conversation Boost works best for hearing people talking in quiet or moderately noisy rooms, and less well in very loud environments or for specific frequency ranges.
- If you have moderate to severe hearing loss, a real hearing aid or professional evaluation will give you better results than AirPods alone.
- Some people use AirPods as a temporary tool while waiting for a hearing aid appointment or to test whether amplification helps before spending money on professional devices.
How to turn on Conversation Boost on your AirPods
On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Audio/Visual. Look for Conversation Boost and toggle it on. Your AirPods must be connected and in your ears for this to work.
Once Conversation Boost is on, you will see a volume slider. Start at the middle and adjust up or down depending on how loud you want the amplified sound. The feature picks up sound from the microphones on your AirPods and sends it directly to your ears, so you hear the room around you amplified in real time.
If you have AirPods Pro, you can also use Adaptive Audio, which is a separate feature that reduces background noise rather than amplifying it. Some people find this helpful too, though it works in the opposite direction — it makes speech clearer by cutting out noise rather than making everything louder.
What Conversation Boost actually does well
Conversation Boost shines when you are in a moderately noisy room and want to hear one person talking. The microphones focus on sound in front of you, so if someone is facing you, their voice comes through clearer and louder. This is useful at a restaurant, a family gathering, or a meeting where background chatter is the main problem.
It also works well if you simply want to hear the television or radio better without turning up the volume for everyone else in the room. You can wear your AirPods and amplify the audio while others listen at normal volume. Many people use it this way even without hearing loss — it is just convenient.
The feature is also instant and free if you already own AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. You do not need an appointment, a prescription, or an audiogram. You can turn it on, test it for a week, and turn it off if it does not help.
Where Conversation Boost falls short
Conversation Boost amplifies all sound equally, which means it makes background noise louder too. In a very loud room — a bar, a concert, a busy street — turning up Conversation Boost will make the noise worse, not better. A hearing aid with directional microphones and frequency-specific amplification handles this much better.
If you have hearing loss in specific frequencies, Conversation Boost cannot target those. For example, if you hear low voices fine but struggle with high-pitched sounds, Conversation Boost will amplify both equally. A hearing aid would boost only the high frequencies you need. Over time, this can feel tiring because you are hearing sounds you do not actually need amplified.
Conversation Boost also requires you to wear your AirPods all day if you want to use it all day. Hearing aids are smaller and sit in your ear canal or behind your ear, so many people forget they are wearing them. AirPods are bulkier and need charging every few hours.
When to consider a real hearing aid instead
If you have moderate to severe hearing loss, Conversation Boost alone will not be enough. A hearing aid is calibrated to your specific audiogram and can amplify the exact frequencies you need while leaving others alone. This is much more effective than the blanket amplification AirPods provide.
A hearing aid also lasts all day on one charge, fits discreetly, and works in any environment — loud, quiet, or anywhere in between. Many modern hearing aids also connect to your phone and can stream audio directly, just like AirPods do.
If you are not sure whether you have hearing loss or how severe it is, ask your doctor for a referral to an audiologist. An audiogram takes about 30 minutes and costs between $0 and $200 depending on whether your insurance covers it. That test will tell you whether Conversation Boost might help or whether you need a hearing aid.
Using AirPods as a temporary tool while you wait
Some people use Conversation Boost while they are on a waiting list for a hearing aid appointment or while they are deciding whether to pursue professional help. It is a low-cost way to test whether amplification actually helps you in daily life before you commit to a hearing aid.
If you find that Conversation Boost helps you hear better in certain situations, that is useful information to bring to an audiologist. It tells them that amplification works for you and helps them understand which situations are most frustrating. If Conversation Boost does not help, that is also useful — it might mean your hearing loss is in a frequency range that needs more targeted amplification.
Keep in mind that Conversation Boost is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. If you suspect you have hearing loss, the next step is still to see an audiologist or your doctor, not to rely on AirPods as a permanent solution.
Other accessibility features on AirPods that might help
Beyond Conversation Boost, AirPods have a few other features worth knowing about. Adaptive Audio reduces background noise while keeping speech clear — it is the opposite of amplification. Some people find this more helpful than Conversation Boost, especially in moderately noisy environments.
Transparency Mode lets you hear the world around you while listening to audio, which is useful if you want to hear a podcast or music but also stay aware of your surroundings. This is not an amplification feature, but it can help if you feel isolated by hearing loss.
If you use hearing aids, some modern hearing aids can connect to your iPhone and stream audio directly, just like AirPods. Your audiologist can tell you whether your hearing aids support this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need AirPods Pro or will regular AirPods work?
Conversation Boost is only available on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Regular AirPods do not have this feature. If you have regular AirPods, you would need to upgrade to use Conversation Boost as a hearing aid tool.
Can I use Conversation Boost with only one AirPod in?
Yes. You can wear one AirPod and leave the other out, and Conversation Boost will still work. The microphone on the single AirPod will pick up sound and amplify it. This is useful if you have hearing loss in only one ear.
Will Conversation Boost work if I am deaf in one ear?
If you are deaf in one ear and have normal hearing in the other, Conversation Boost in the hearing ear will amplify sound normally. If you are deaf in both ears, Conversation Boost will not help because there is no hearing ear to receive the amplified sound. A cochlear implant or bone-conduction hearing aid would be the right tool in that case.
How long does the battery last if I use Conversation Boost all day?
Conversation Boost uses the microphones and speakers continuously, so it drains the battery faster than normal listening. Most people get 4 to 6 hours of continuous use before needing to charge. A hearing aid typically lasts 16 to 24 hours on one charge.
Can I use Conversation Boost on Android?
Conversation Boost is an Apple feature and only works on iPhone and iPad. If you use Android, you do not have access to this specific feature on AirPods. Some Android phones have their own sound amplification features in accessibility settings, but they work differently.