Apple’s much talked about hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2 Finally a firmware update was released today. You can update your AirPods Pro to the latest version to get the features today, but you’ll have to wait until October 28. iOS 18.1to use them.

The hearing health update brings three features: hearing testing, hearing aid functionality, and active hearing protection. All features are free to use and compatible iPhone And ipadas long as there is software iOS18.1.

The first feature makes it much easier to diagnose hearing loss within the confines of your home. It will save time, effort and money and encourage people to get tested regularly. In a hearing health briefing, Apple told Gizmodo that millions of Americans are living with hearing loss without knowing it. Many people believe this always requires complete hearing impairment, but it exists on a spectrum and you can lie anywhere on it. That’s why it’s important to regularly check how your ears are working.

The test is done in the iOS Health app and takes about five minutes to complete. It plays several tones that you respond to by tapping your screen. Once complete, the results screen shows your respective scores for both ears, along with a comment such as “Your test indicates moderate hearing loss.” Your results are published in the Health app, allowing you to track your ear health over time by retesting. You can also download your results if you need to show them to a professional.

The second feature expands the functionality of your AirPods Pro and makes these double as hearing aidsWhich increases frequencies and produces clearer, crisper sound. As a hearing aid, your AirPods Pro will also make real-time adjustments in intensity based on your surroundings. This doesn’t just apply to people with hearing problems. The hearing aid feature allows the user to hear better, thus it can help a completely healthy person by improving the sound of his music in the buds.

The third feature protects your ears against loud and harsh environmental noises. In noisy environments up to 110 dBA, the hearing protection feature puts your ears at ease by reducing the sound signature to a lower level of 48,000 times per second. To contextualize this, a fitness class is 100 dBA and mowing the lawn produces 90 dBA. The hearing protection feature works in all listening modes, and silicone ear tips also help reduce noise.