If you own AirPods Pro 2, you can now take a five-minute hearing test right on your iPhone. With the release of iOS 18.1 and the new firmware for the Pro 2, Apple is introducing some new hearing health features – and the hearing test is among them. We hope this will go a long way in raising awareness of hearing loss and encouraging safer listening practices.

A few notes before we begin. First and foremost, intended for those aged 18 and over, Apple’s hearing test should be performed in a quiet environment where you can best hear the different tones being played in each ear. Note that iOS 18.1 (or later) and AirPods Pro 2 firmware 7B19 (or later) are required to access the test. And for now, it’s only available in the US and Canada. Apple recommends that people take the test at least once a year, but you can take it as often as you like.

If it’s been too long since you’ve seen an audiologist – and that’s true for many people — and want to test your hearing, here’s how to take the Apple Hearing Test:

Always consult a hearing care professional if you have any questions or concerns about your Apple hearing test results. You can view the results of any test at any time from the Health app, where you can also export audiograms in pdf format.

For many people in the “low or no loss” group, Apple will confirm that the current AirPods tuning is suitable for their results. But in other cases, you’ll be able to activate AirPods Pro 2’s new hearing aid function – and it will use the data from your hearing test for the best performance. It is important to know that hearing aid function is only intended for those with mild to moderate perceived hearing loss. If your hearing loss is more severe, you may want to explore other solutions, such as prescription hearing aids or over-the-counter products.