In September 2024, the FDA authorized Apple's over-the-counter hearing aid software so that the AirPods Pro 2 can now double as hearing aids for adults with mild or moderate forms of hearing loss. This is the first OTC hearing aid software device,

The AirPods Pro 2 are an affordable tool for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, but 23 seniors tell PCMag they can't replace traditional hearing aids yet. Here's why.

If you do, the hearing aid feature customizes your AirPods by boosting or lowering the volume at specific frequencies—based on your needs. It can also help protect your hearing in loud places like concerts by reducing the sound to a safe level.

While not a remedy to severe hearing loss, this feature could be a great help to those afflicted with mild to moderate hearing loss. And for many people, a pair of AirPods will be a lot less daunting – and more stylish and user friendly – than a hearing aid.

Apple today announced that its clinical-grade, over-the-counter Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 is now available in the United Kingdom.

AirPods Pro 2, the latest version of Apple’s earbuds, already have an ability that allows users to take a five-minute hearing test. But now, if the test indicates mild to moderate hearing loss, the user can switch on a function to boost their hearing at the touch of a button.

A new Apple AirPods Pro 2 feature means you can use the earbuds as hearing aid. However, it wasn’t available in the U.K. until now. Here’s how to get it.

Apple has announced that the hearing aid mode for AirPods Pro 2, which was announced and launched in the US last year, is coming to the UK today, Monday February 24th, 2025. We already knew that it was coming to the UK following a regulatory change, but not when – however, you can expect it to become enabled imminently.

As previously reported in January, the AirPods Pro 2 can now be used as hearing aids in the United Kingdom, having now received government approval for over-the-counter hearing aid devices.

After years of using earbuds from other audio brands, I tried Apple AirPods Pro 2 and became an instant convert–at least in terms of earbuds for working out at the gym.