How to Turn your AirPods Pro 3 into Hearing Aids, by Dr. Cliff

When Apple released iOS 18.1 back in October 2024, they introduced something that genuinely caught my attention as an audiologist: a clinical-grade hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro 2. Now, with the AirPods Pro 3, this feature has been carried forward and refined. While I've spent years fitting prescription hearing aids in my clinic, I wanted to walk you through exactly how to set up your AirPods Pro 3 as over-the-counter hearing aids.

Before we dive in, let me be clear about what these devices can and cannot do. This hearing aid feature is designed for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. If your hearing loss extends beyond moderate levels, the AirPods Pro 3 won't provide adequate amplification. For those cases, you'll need prescription hearing aids programmed by a professional. But if you fall into that mild to moderate range, the AirPods Pro 3 could offer you meaningful hearing improvement.

Getting Started: What You Need

First, you need the right hardware. Beyond the AirPods Pro 3 themselves, you'll need an iPhone or iPad capable of running iOS or iPad OS 18.1 or newer. As of now, iOS 26.0.1 is the latest version available. To check your current iOS version, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. If you're not running at least iOS 18.1, you'll need to install the update, which can take up to an hour.

Pairing Your AirPods Pro 3

Once your iOS is updated, pairing the AirPods Pro 3 is straightforward. When you open the case (assuming they have battery), you'll see them appear as a connection option on your screen. Tap Connect, then double-tap the front of the case. Unlike older models that had a push button on the back, the AirPods Pro 3 use this new double-tap method on the front of the case.

After pairing, you might see prompts about head movement controls and workout tracking. The key thing to watch for is whether you're prompted to take a hearing test right away. If you see this option, your firmware is up to date. If not, you'll need to update the firmware before accessing the hearing aid features.

The Firmware Update Process

Here's where things can get frustrating: updating the AirPods firmware isn't instantaneous. To trigger the update, plug in both your phone and your AirPods, close the lid, and let them sit. The update runs on Apple's schedule, not yours. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. You'll know the update is complete when you see options for Hearing Protection, Hearing Assistance, and Take a Hearing Test in your AirPods settings.

Getting the Right Physical Fit

Before taking any hearing test, getting a proper physical fit is absolutely necessary. The AirPods Pro 3 come with the medium-sized ear tips pre-installed, but you have five sizes to choose from: extra extra small, extra small, small, medium, and large. To change them, fold over the dome and pull straight off, then snap the new size back on.

I find the AirPods Pro 3 fit slightly better than the previous generation, sitting deeper in the ear canal for improved sound delivery. But don't just assume you have the right size. Apple includes a fit test that checks for acoustic seal. When you run this test, the AirPods play music and measure how much sound is leaking out. If the seal isn't adequate, you'll get a notification to adjust or change your ear tip size.

Taking the Hearing Test

Once you have a proper fit, tap "Take a Hearing Test" in your AirPods settings. The process starts with a few screening questions: Are you 18 or older? Do you have allergies, a cold, or ear infection? Have you been in a loud environment in the last 24 hours? These questions help ensure accurate results.

The test itself is straightforward. The AirPods check your environment for excessive noise, verify you have them in the correct ears, and then play tones at different frequencies and intensities. You simply tap the screen when you hear a tone. The test pauses automatically if ambient noise becomes too high.

When the test completes, you'll see your results displayed as a pure tone average at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Lower numbers indicate better hearing. You can view detailed results across all frequencies tested. If you notice significant asymmetry between your ears, I strongly recommend seeing an audiologist for a comprehensive evaluation, as this can sometimes indicate underlying medical conditions.

Customizing Your Settings

After the hearing test, the AirPods create amplification settings tailored to your specific hearing loss. You can enable "Media Assist" to apply these settings to streamed audio like music and phone calls. Then, activate the actual hearing aid feature by tapping "Set Up Hearing Aid."

But here's something many people don't know: you're not locked into using only the in-app hearing test. You can upload previous audiogram results from a hearing care professional. Go to Hearing Assistance, then Update Hearing Test Results. You can scan an audiogram with your camera, add one from photos or files, or even enter results manually. This gives you much more precise amplification based on professional testing.

Making Adjustments

Once set up, you can fine-tune your listening experience in several ways. Triple-click the side button or swipe down from the top corner and tap the ear icon to access quick controls. Here you can:

• Adjust overall amplification levels
• Use swipe-to-control for quick volume changes
• Balance amplification between ears
• Adjust tone (brighter for more high frequency, darker for more low frequency)
• Control ambient noise reduction
• Enable conversation boost for directional focus
• Adjust your own voice amplification

You can cycle between hearing aid mode, transparency mode, adaptive mode, and noise cancellation by pressing and holding the AirPods stem. Each mode serves different listening situations.

The AirPods Pro 3 also include a Live Listen feature, which uses your phone's microphone to pick up sound and stream it to your ears. This can be helpful when you need to hear someone from a distance. For those with tinnitus, background sounds can provide masking relief.

Is Professional Care Still Important?

While the AirPods Pro 3 offer legitimate hearing assistance, they're not a replacement for comprehensive audiological care. A hearing care professional can identify the underlying cause of your hearing loss, ensure there are no medical issues requiring attention, and provide ongoing support and adjustments. We use Real Ear Measurement to verify that hearing aids are programmed precisely to your unique prescription, something the AirPods cannot replicate.

Find Expert Guidance

If you're considering the AirPods Pro 3 but want professional guidance on whether they're appropriate for your hearing loss, visit HearingUp.com to find a provider in your area. Our network members can perform comprehensive hearing evaluations and help you determine if over-the-counter options like the AirPods Pro 3 will meet your needs, or if prescription hearing aids would provide better outcomes. We're here to ensure you get the hearing care that's right for you.