Apple's AirPods Pro 2 now have a “hearing aid feature”: a hearing test and the ability to amplify sound for mild or moderate hearing loss, with a free software update.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 hearing health features are finally live. Here's how to accessing the features as well as some troubleshooting tips.

Now that iOS 18.1 is available to the masses, Apple’s new hearing aid feature is ready for use. The tool is one of three hearing health items the company announced alongside the iPhone 16 in September.

Start by putting your AirPods Pro 2 in your ears and then open Settings. Tap on your AirPods (near the top of the Settings page) and look for the Hearing Health section. You’ll see options for Hearing Protection, Hearing Assistance, and Take a Hearing Test. Tap that to get started.

With the iOS 18.1 update, Apple has given AirPods Pro 2 owners access to the new "hearing aid" feature for the first time. This functionality lets the device amplify sounds, making it easier to hear conversations and navigate different environments.

For now, the hearing aid feature is only available with the AirPods Pro 2 model. Users will need an iPhone or iPad to set it up. The feature setup starts with built-in hearing loss tests to determine whether or not users have hearing loss. If they do, they can then set up their own customized amplification levels.

After years of neglecting loud environments and using AirPods all the way up, performing an AirPods Pro 2 hearing test revealed a harsh truth.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 has introduced a suite of innovative features that are set to transform the way we approach hearing health and personal audio