If you own an iPhone and a pair of AirPods Pro, you may have seen a “hearing test” feature in your health app. This test only requires a quiet environment and a good fit of your AirPods to determine whether you may have hearing loss.
How accurate is this test, and should you use it to get a gauge of your hearing health? We asked Henry Ford Health audiologist Brad Stach, Ph.D., to share his perspective.
How the AirPods Hearing Test Works
When you start the hearing test, the app plays a series of beeps across different frequencies. You tap the screen when you hear the tones, which measures your hearing thresholds, or the softest sounds you can hear. Your results then appear in a graph that displays your hearing ability at different pitches.
“It’s a clever, convenient way to test one component of hearing,” says Dr. Stach. “If the AirPods create a good seal in your ear canal, the test provides helpful information.”
What the AirPods Hearing Test Can’t Do
An AirPods hearing test measures air conduction hearing sensitivity, which is how well you can hear sounds that come into your outer ear. A less-than-ideal score is a clue that something’s interfering with your hearing—but the app can’t tell you the underlying cause.
“There are many reasons people can have trouble hearing certain sounds,” Dr. Stach explains. “Earwax buildup or fluid in your ear from a cold could be blocking sound from entering your inner ear. But unless a healthcare provider examines your ears and sees the blockage, you may not know that’s the reason.”
In other cases, hearing loss could be a result of a more complex issue. Conditions like age- or noise-related hearing loss may require hearing aids. “Your phone can’t tell you whether you have a hearing condition or simply need some earwax removed,” Dr. Stach says.
Getting Answers With a Clinical Hearing Test
If your AirPods hearing test doesn’t go perfectly, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re losing your hearing. However, it is a sign that you may need a clinical hearing test from an audiologist.
“A clinical hearing test often starts with an air conduction hearing test, similar to the AirPods test,” says Dr. Stach. From there, Dr. Stach says, you typically receive more detailed tests to get a complete picture of your hearing and whether a hearing loss might be due to a treatable problem.
“We look at your ear’s bone conduction, which measures how well your inner ear responds to sound vibrations,” says Dr. Stach. “We also measure how your eardrum transmits sound, the pressure in your middle ear and how well you understand speech.”
Together, these tests help your audiologist determine the cause of hearing loss and the best way to address it. “Hearing loss is complex, and it’s more than how well you hear soft sounds,” says Dr. Stach.
Don’t Ignore Hearing Problems
Hearing loss often develops gradually, so it’s not always easy to detect. But if you suspect you’re having trouble hearing—or your iPhone tells you to get your hearing checked—don’t wait. Untreated hearing loss can interfere with your overall well-being.
“People think hearing loss is no big deal, or they’ll just turn up the volume on the TV,” says Dr. Stach. “But losing your hearing can affect so many aspects of your life. In many cases, people stop doing things they love and gradually lose social connections, which can harm their health. Being able to hear things like a passing car or an alarm is also important for your safety.”
Should I Use the AirPods Hearing Test?
There’s nothing wrong with giving that AirPods hearing test a try. Just be aware of its limitations.
“The test helps increase people’s awareness of hearing loss, which is a good thing,” says Dr. Stach. “But remember that this single test is a starting point. It’s a screening tool, not a diagnosis.”
In other words, don’t go out and buy over-the-counter hearing aids or supplements because your AirPods test didn’t go well. “Before you spend time or money on hearing products, see an audiologist,” says Dr. Stach. “We can help you determine the best solution for your unique needs.”
Reviewed by Brad Stach, Ph.D., an audiologist who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital and Henry Ford Medical Center - Fairlane.
