Apple’s AirPods can now act as hearing aids - but the real breakthrough may be in how people think about hearing loss
Apple’s iOS 18.3 update is now live in the UK, enabling users to turn their AirPods Pro 2 into basic hearing aids. The long-awaited feature, is already being used by people with mild to moderate hearing loss – and is now being rolled out to other countries.
For the first time, UK users can access a “Hearing Assistance” menu on their iPhones after completing a short test. The system uses the AirPods’ microphones and processing power to amplify and fine-tune external sound, helping users to hear more clearly in real-world settings like conversations or meetings.
A huge moment for mainstream consumer tech – and one that could shift public attitudes around hearing loss. AirPods are stylish, familiar and widely accepted. That makes them a powerful tool to challenge the lingering stigma around hearing aids, which still stops many people from seeking help.
A hidden problem for millions
According to the NHS, more than 11 million people in the UK – about one in six – live with some form of hearing loss. Yet research suggests that one in eight people affected do nothing about it. Many delay getting tested or fitted with hearing aids for years, often citing price or embarrassment.
This resistance has real consequences. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased social isolation, higher rates of depression and even an increased risk of cognitive decline. That’s why hearing specialists are cautiously optimistic about Apple’s update – not because it replaces proper treatment, but because it lowers the barrier to entry.
More access, less stigma
At Hearology®, which offers hearing tests, hearing aids and ear wax removal amongst a variety of other products and services, the update is seen as a potential turning point in the conversation around hearing health.
"Hearology® welcomes anything that makes hearing enhancement easier to access. Hearing aids are vastly superior to a pair of AirPods – not to mention a lot more discreet!” said Laurence Coen, the Co-founder of Hearology®, an independent Audiologist based in London and the south east of England. “But there are so many people who deny themselves quality of life improvement and risk cognitive decline by engaging in hearing loss denial and hearing aid stigmatisation, that this development can only be a good thing."
AirPods offer help, but not a full solution
Apple’s ‘hearing assist’ feature is designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, particularly in the frequencies used for speech. It provides real-time amplification, but it’s still a one-size-fits-all approach.
Regulated hearing aids, by contrast, are tuned to the individual’s audiogram. They come with a much wider range of features – including directional microphones, advanced noise filtering and custom programmes for different environments.
The AI-enhanced capability of modern hearing aids to separate speech from background noise is truly impressive. Many also offer support for tinnitus, a condition that affects one in eight adults. AirPods can do none of these things.
AirPods also lack the clinical follow-up and professional adjustments that help hearing aid users get the most out of their devices. Without that, users risk missing out on significant improvements to their hearing and quality of life.
As Coen says, “You won’t be able to go down to your local Apple Genius Bar and ask them to tune out your tinnitus, improve speech clarity, render the amplified sound more life-like or fine tune your devices across a multitude of frequencies in line with the exact profile of your hearing loss as calibrated in a controlled, clinical environment.”
The beginning of the end for ignoring the problem
Apple’s update isn’t the beginning of the end for hearing aids. If anything, it highlights the growing demand for hearing support – and the importance of making it easier, more approachable and less stigmatised.
What it could end is the silent gap between need and action. If people are more willing to take a hearing test, start using amplification, or book a follow-up for persistent symptoms like blocked ears or tinnitus, then AirPods may help close one of the most frustrating treatment gaps in healthcare.
Many of Hearology®’s clients first come in for help with balance issues, tinnitus or a build-up of ear wax, only to discover underlying hearing loss. A proper hearing test helps to pinpoint the cause and severity – and rules out treatable issues like infection or ear canal obstruction. In some cases, micro-suction or ear drops may be enough. In others, hearing aids are the best long-term solution.
Hearing loss is common, manageable and best treated early. The tools already exist. The question is whether people are ready to use them – and if AirPods can help more of them answer that question in the affirmative.
“Apple” and “Genius Bar” are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
References
- AirPods Pro 2 - Provides details on AirPods Pro 2 features, including advanced audio capabilities, but does not mention the hearing aid feature because of regulatory restrictions.
- Apple: AirPods Pro 2 Users in UK to Gain New Feature in 'Coming Weeks' - Confirms that Apple will soon enable AirPods Pro 2 to function as hearing aids in the U.K., following regulatory approval. The feature is expected to be rolled out with the upcoming iOS 18.3 update.
- Are you in the UK and looking at using Apple AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids? - Discusses the regulatory status of AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids in the U.K., highlighting that they lacked approval at the time of writing.
- NHS Hearing Loss - Offers guidance on hearing loss, including its prevalence and management options, which supports the discussion on the need for accessible hearing aid solutions.
