Apple's AirPods Pro 2 now have a “hearing aid feature”: a hearing test and the ability to amplify sound for mild or moderate hearing loss, with a free software update.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 can now perform ably – and cheaply – as over-the-counter hearing aids, but there are some flaws and compromises.

There’s no question that AirPods Pro 2 are the best earbuds Apple makes, and they keep getting better with awesome new capabilities such as the Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features added in iOS 18.1. They’re frequently on sale, and we always say they’re worth paying a little extra for if you can afford it.