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Apple AirPods Pro 2 update (7A294) with hearing aids features - personal reviews please!

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I don’t yet see the two features referenced in the short article you attached. Automatic conversation boost would be nice as I often forget to switch back and forth.

Edited
@PhotoCasey said:

I don’t yet see the two features referenced in the short article you attached.

I don’t either. I am on iOS 26, the version in my Airpods is 23A341, and the Airpods’ firmware is 8A356. Maybe that is a feature that works only with the new model (Airpods Pro 3)? This is what he answered someone:

IMG_7318

Just an update for those in Canada considering buying AirPod Pro 3s as hearing aids. As I mentioned some time back, I was able to enable the hearing aid function on my AirPod Pro 2s when we went south for the winter. That function remained enabled even though we have been back in Canada for five months. I was really happy with them and basically left my Jabra hearing aids in the charger. Now I have purchased the new Pro 3 AirPods and when installing them on the phone, the system recognized that I was using the hearing aid function with the 2s. I just needed to adjust to my personal settings and select a hearing test from those I have done over the past year. I then deleted my Pro 2s from my phone. I bought the 3s as they have a much longer battery life as hearing aids.. Apple says ten hours but after 8 hours I still have 48% left. That will probably diminish some as they age but way better than the 2s were. The 3s also fit my ears better. I was constantly pushing the 2s in to avoid them falling out. In adddition, the 3s seem to have a bit more volume. I only have a day with them but happy so far. Would be nice if Ontario approved hearing aids (Health Canada has) but the hearing aid sellers have a vested interest in preventing that.

Edited

In reply to @e1405

I now have the voice amplification feature and conversation boost after the latest firmware update. I’m using the AirPods Pro 2 (version 2, USB-C).

I tested the AirPods Pro 2 and 3, and in terms of sound quality, I couldn’t tell the difference, so I’ve decided not to get the new ones.

I don’t use Apple’s ear tips but instead a silicone brand called AZLA Zelastec, which creates a tight seal in your ear (it’s like putting chewing gum there). They are phenomenal! Maybe that’s why I can’t tell the difference between the 2 and the 3.

IMG_0325

Edited

In reply to @OcramSagev

@OcramSagev said:

I now have the voice amplification feature and conversation boost after the latest firmware update. I’m using the AirPods Pro 2 (version 2, USB-C).

Yes I can see those options as well. I normally just use my Airpod Pro 2’s for workouts, running or on planes (for noise cancellation and streaming).

For kicks I wore them this afternoon for a few hours round the house and garden and I had forgotten how good they are as hearing aids. No noisy environments but I recall they did a great job in noisy restaurants when I first got them. I just felt uncomfortable wearing Airpods in that kind of situation as people could assume you were being anti-social and listening to media etc.

@OcramSagev said:

I don’t use Apple’s ear tips but instead a silicone brand called AZLA Zelastec, which creates a tight seal in your ear (it’s like putting chewing gum there). They are phenomenal! Maybe that’s why I can’t tell the difference between the 2 and the 3.

I must be lucky but the medium Apple Ear Tips fit me perfectly (I get a good seal per the Apple test), are comfortable to wear and they stay in place for running etc.

Sound quality wise they remain by far the best way for me to listen to streamed music. I don’t feel like I am missing anything.

The 3’s interest me but for now the 2’s do everything I want them to.

Edited

Here is an extensive review by one user:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HearingAids/comments/1nmxqqe/review_of_apple_airpods_pro_3_as_hearing_aids/5

According to below assessment, output volumes of the Pro3 are still inadequate for people with more than mild hearing loss (below 55 db or so):

Pros and cons: Apple AirPods as hearing aids2

Tempted to try AirPods as hearing aids? Here's what to know about the advantages and disadvantages, according to hearing experts.

I still don’t understand why Apple can’t make their earbuds as loud as other brands, like the excellent One Plus Buds Pro 2, which are even louder than I need (for normal streaming purposes).

As you can see from my , I am well beyond 55db. The AirPods are a game changer for me.

In reply to @coastal_california

The APP2 improved with the ios26 update but I find the APP3 sounds considerably more ‘natural’ especially in the presence of noise. (This is comparing both with the same and APP2 has latest IOS26 based firmware). The automatic conversation boost is quite smart, it kicks in when it’s noisy and someone nearby is talking, then disengages if no-one talks for a while. When it is active the ‘boost’ seems improved with IOS26, but drains the AirPods battery faster (at least in APP2). I find I have less need for conversation boost with APP3.

Edited

Conversation boost is at Settings - your AirPods - Hearing assistance - Adjustments - Conversation boost. Same setting as before but now instead of being always on it activates only in noisy places when someone talks nearby. You can also get to it via the control panel ‘ear icon’ if you enable that but it’s a bit buggy at times that way - don’t always show up.

Also you’d better check here: AirPods Pro 3 - Hearing Health Feature Availability - Apple8. It’s in fewer countries than the hearing aid feature is at present. I think this list is same for APP2.

Edited

Make sure you are on ios 26 and your AirPods firmware version is 8A356 or later. (Edit: I now see you mentioned this already) The feature works without the phone nearby so I don’t think phone is needed. Also under ‘about hearing aid’ the feature version I have is 2. That appeared around the time of 8A356 if I recall. Perhaps it thinks you are not in a supported country for the version with auto conversation boost? I don’t know how to check that. I’d contact support perhaps

Edited

In reply to @JohnSmith

@JohnSmith said:

Also under ‘about hearing aid’ the feature version I have is 2

Thanks, I still have version 1 on mine.

@OcramSagev said:

That’s what I have and I got the updated features

Thanks. Edit: found my answer here: AirPods Pro 3 - Hearing Health Feature Availability - Apple6

One list for “Hearing Aid feature1“, another for “Hearing Aid feature with automatic Conversation Boost2”

My Canadian friends, with AirPods Pro 3, how would you make it work in Canada? For AirPods Pro 2, I used an older iOS version with transparency mode.

For Airpods pro 3, I am thinking of buying an ipad and AirPods Pro 3 in the US and getting account set up and hearing aid function activated there. However, if you have smarter ways to activate it, I would love to hear. Thanks in advance.

Edited

I was able to activate the hearing aid feature in the US for my APP2s. We spend winters in the south. I did not need a new account. When I bought the APP3s, the active hearing aid feature transferred over to them, even though I bought them in Canada. I have not been to the US with the APP3s. I am hoping the automatic conversation boost will activate when we go south in a few weeks. To answer your question however, before going to the US with my APP2s, I think I used the setting in the Accessibility menu and used transparency mode with max volume. Took some tweaking but while not as easy as the “Hearing Aid” mode, I thought it was pretty close. Going from memory here which isn’t the greatest. I suspect setting up the APP3 will be the same menu structure as your APP2s. I am currently using iOS 26 on both iPhone 14 and my iPad Pro 13 (M4)

Health Canada has approved the APPs for use as over the counter hearing aids. However, since the province of Ontario regulates hearing aids, there has been a lot of push back from hearing aid dispensers to keep hearing aids from being sold here.

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