Noise alerts and in-ear hearing tests are turning everyday devices into early warning systems for hearing loss
Deafness often develops gradually, without obvious warning signs. Unlike vision, which gives immediate feedback when damaged, hearing tends to deteriorate in silence. For one professional photographer, the first alert came not from his ears, but from his Apple Watch.
Working in noisy environments like weddings, film sets and bars, Guille Lomener was used to elevated background noise. But he didn’t realise the damage it might be causing until his Apple Watch began warning him about prolonged exposure. The device, using its built-in microphone, detected environmental noise levels above safe limits, prompting him to change his habits.
“We take the most obvious precautions with our eyesight: we don't look directly at the sun, we wear sunglasses if there's too much light,” said Lomener. “But we don't take the same precautions with our hearing, and it's just as dangerous. After all, it's another sense that needs to be protected.”
The risk of everyday noise
Loud concerts and power tools are known hazards – but long-term exposure to more mundane sounds can also cause damage. Traffic, busy offices and even vacuum cleaners can all register between 70 and 85 decibels. While the UK’s Health and Safety Executive sets 85dB as the level at which employers must take action, the World Health Organisation recommends no more than 70dB for continuous exposure.
Lomener realised his everyday work was often done in environments that approach those kinds of noise levels. So he is now constantly checking his Apple Watch to make sure he’s not exposed for too long.
Smart alerts
Apple’s Noise app regularly checks ambient sound and issues alerts only if levels stay high for a prolonged period. This avoids unnecessary notifications from sudden loud sounds, focusing instead on meaningful long-term exposure. No recordings are made, and user privacy is protected.
All the data feeds into the iPhone’s Health app, where users can monitor trends and see how often they’ve been exposed to harmful levels. In the case of Lomener, reviewing this data prompted him to wear hearing protection more regularly and avoid certain environments altogether.
Testing your hearing with your phone
Newer Apple devices are going a step further. The AirPods Pro 2, when used with iOS 18.1 or later, include a certified hearing test that plays a range of tones across frequencies. Results are stored in the Health app, helping users track any changes and seek professional advice if needed.
AirPods Pro 2 also offers real-time noise reduction in Transparency mode. This lets users stay aware of their surroundings while automatically softening sudden loud noises like alarms or motorbikes.
“Many people have the misconception that just because they’re not at a gig every weekend, their hearing is safe,” said Irene Wong, a Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®. “But it’s the long-term exposure to dangerous noise levels – in the gym, on the tube, in an open-plan office – that can accumulate and cause problems in the future. Portable warning systems like the Apple Watch are a great way to detect those risks and prompt us to take action.”
References
- Apple – A guide to its Watch products
- RNID – Royal National Institute for Deaf People research into hearing loss
- Health and Safety Executive – Comprehensive HSE noise at work guidance
- WHO – The World Health Organisation’s environmental noise guidelines
