AirPods Pro are the only model with built-in hearing aid functionality

If you're looking for AirPods that work like hearing aids, you need AirPods Pro (2nd generation). These are the only AirPods with a feature called Conversation Boost that amplifies voices around you, and Adaptive Audio that adjusts what you hear based on your environment. Neither of these features replaces a prescription hearing aid, but they can help you hear conversations more clearly in noisy settings.

The original AirPods Pro (1st generation) do not have these features. Standard AirPods, AirPods Max, and AirPods (3rd generation) also lack them. If you already own an older model, these hearing-focused features are not available through a software update — you would need to purchase the 2nd generation version.

Apple also offers a separate Hearing Test app that works on iPhone and iPad, which you can use with any AirPods model. This app measures your hearing in a quiet room and stores the results, but it is not the same as a clinical hearing test from an audiologist.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPods Pro (2nd generation) include Conversation Boost to amplify voices and Adaptive Audio to adjust sound based on your surroundings.
  • These features are not hearing aids and do not replace prescription devices, but they can help you hear better in specific situations.
  • The original AirPods Pro, standard AirPods, AirPods Max, and AirPods (3rd generation) do not have these hearing-focused features.
  • Apple's Hearing Test app works with any AirPods model but requires a quiet room and is not a substitute for an audiologist's evaluation.
  • You must own AirPods Pro (2nd generation) to use Conversation Boost and Adaptive Audio — these features cannot be added to older models.

How Conversation Boost works and when to use it

Conversation Boost is designed to make voices louder while keeping background noise at a lower level. When you turn it on, your AirPods Pro focus on picking up speech from people in front of you or nearby, then amplify it so you hear them more clearly. This is most useful in restaurants, coffee shops, or other places where multiple conversations are happening at once.

To turn on Conversation Boost, open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, long-press the volume slider, tap the audio icon, and select Conversation Boost. You can adjust how much amplification you want by moving the slider. The feature works in real time — you hear the change immediately as you adjust it.

Conversation Boost does not work the same way in every situation. It works best when you are facing the person you want to hear, because the microphones on your AirPods are positioned to pick up sound from in front of you. If someone is behind you or far away, the amplification will be less effective.

What Adaptive Audio does differently

Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts what you hear based on where you are and what is happening around you. If you are in a quiet room, it lets you hear more of the ambient sound. If you move to a noisy street, it reduces background noise so you can focus on what matters to you. You do not have to manually switch between settings — it changes on its own.

Adaptive Audio combines three separate modes: Conversation Boost (which we covered above), Noise Cancellation (which blocks out background sound), and Transparency (which lets you hear your surroundings). When you turn on Adaptive Audio, your AirPods Pro blend these modes together based on what the microphones detect around you.

To turn on Adaptive Audio, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods Pro in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and toggle Adaptive Audio on. Once it is on, you can also customize it by choosing which modes you want included in the mix.

The difference between AirPods features and actual hearing aids

AirPods Pro with Conversation Boost and Adaptive Audio are not hearing aids. A hearing aid is a medical device prescribed by an audiologist after testing your hearing. It is tuned specifically to your hearing loss pattern and amplifies only the frequencies you have trouble hearing. AirPods Pro amplify all voices and sounds equally.

Hearing aids also work all day on a single charge, fit inside or behind your ear, and are designed to be worn constantly. AirPods Pro last about six hours per charge, sit in your ears, and are meant to be removed and stored in their case when you are not using them. If you have significant hearing loss, a hearing aid will work much better than AirPods.

That said, AirPods Pro can be useful if you have mild hearing difficulty or if you struggle to hear in specific situations — like a noisy restaurant — but have normal hearing otherwise. They are also much less expensive than hearing aids, which typically cost between $1,000 and $6,000 per pair.

How to use the Hearing Test app on your iPhone

Apple's Hearing Test app lets you measure your hearing using your iPhone or iPad in a quiet room. The test plays tones at different volumes and frequencies, and you tap your screen each time you hear a sound. The app then shows you your results in a graph.

To find the Hearing Test app, open the Health app on your iPhone, tap Hearing, and look for Hearing Test. If you do not see it, your device may not support the feature — it requires iPhone XS or later, or iPad Pro (3rd generation) or later. Tap "Take a Hearing Test" and follow the on-screen instructions. The test takes about three minutes.

The Hearing Test app stores your results so you can compare them over time and see if your hearing is changing. However, this test is not the same as a clinical hearing test from an audiologist. An audiologist uses specialized equipment in a soundproof room and can diagnose specific types of hearing loss. If the Hearing Test app shows a significant change or you suspect hearing loss, schedule an appointment with an audiologist for a full evaluation.

Setting up AirPods Pro for better hearing

If you have purchased AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and want to set them up for hearing support, start by pairing them to your iPhone. Hold the case near your iPhone, open the lid, and follow the pairing prompt. Once they are connected, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods Pro, and tap the info icon.

From the AirPods settings screen, you can turn on Adaptive Audio, adjust the microphone settings, and customize which modes you want active. You can also set up a shortcut so that pressing and holding the stem of your AirPods Pro activates your preferred hearing feature. This makes it faster to switch between Conversation Boost and other modes without opening your phone.

Test the features in different environments — a quiet room, a busy restaurant, a car — to see how they work for you. The amplification level that feels right in one setting may be too loud or too quiet in another. You can adjust the volume slider in Control Center each time you move to a new place, or let Adaptive Audio handle it automatically.

Other accessibility features built into AirPods Pro

Beyond hearing support, AirPods Pro include other accessibility features. Live Listen turns your iPhone into a remote microphone — you can place your phone on a table across the room and hear what is being said through your AirPods. This can help you follow a conversation or presentation from a distance.

AirPods Pro also work with Siri, Apple's voice assistant, so you can control your phone, send messages, or get information without touching your device. If you have difficulty using a touchscreen, voice control can make your AirPods more useful.

You can also use AirPods Pro with Mono Audio, a feature that combines the left and right channels into one. This is useful if you have hearing loss in one ear, because it ensures you do not miss sound that would normally come from the side you cannot hear as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Conversation Boost with regular AirPods or AirPods Max?

No. Conversation Boost and Adaptive Audio are only available on AirPods Pro (2nd generation). If you own an earlier model, these features are not available through a software update. You would need to purchase the 2nd generation AirPods Pro to use them.

Will AirPods Pro work as well as a hearing aid?

No. Hearing aids are medical devices customized to your specific hearing loss, while AirPods Pro amplify all sound equally. If you have moderate to severe hearing loss, a hearing aid will work much better. AirPods Pro are most useful for mild hearing difficulty or for specific situations like noisy restaurants.

How long do AirPods Pro last on a single charge?

AirPods Pro last about six hours of listening time on a single charge. The case holds multiple additional charges, giving you up to 30 hours total before you need to plug in the case. Battery life varies depending on whether you are using noise cancellation or Adaptive Audio.

Is the Hearing Test app accurate?

The Hearing Test app gives you a general sense of your hearing, but it is not as accurate as a clinical test from an audiologist. It works best in a very quiet room, and environmental noise can affect the results. If you get concerning results, follow up with an audiologist for a full evaluation.

Do I need to see a doctor before using AirPods Pro for hearing support?

No. AirPods Pro are consumer electronics, not medical devices, so you do not need a prescription or doctor's approval to use them. However, if you think you have hearing loss, it is a good idea to see an audiologist or your doctor for a proper evaluation.