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Apple AirPods Pro 2 Expert Review

Budget OTCReleased 2024

HearAdvisor's independent lab evaluation measures how the Apple AirPods Pro 2 performs as an OTC hearing aid. Below you will find our test results, amplification measurements, audio recordings, and detailed lab documentation.

Dr. Steve TaddeiDr. Steve Taddei, Au.D. — Lab Director & Reviewer
Dr. Abram BaileyDr. Abram Bailey, Au.D. — Fact Checker / Editor
How We Test
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hero
HearAdvisor
Apple AirPods Pro 2
4.0HearAdvisor SoundScoreGrade A
As it sounds out of the box
Bottom Line

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 delivers strong speech clarity and excellent music streaming at a budget-friendly price, ideal for iPhone users seeking versatile amplification.

Top 26% of OTC Hearing Aid
Strengths
  • Excellent feedback handling
  • Strong music streaming quality
  • Clear speech in quiet settings
Drawbacks
  • Below-average own voice naturalness
  • Speech in noise is only mixed
Measured Metrics

SoundScore: 5 Acoustic Dimensions

Our testing evaluates five distinct performance areas: speech in quiet, speech in noise, own voice, music streaming, and feedback control. The score breakdown below shows how the AirPods Pro 2 measured in each metric. The purple SoundScore graph is the overall result, and the five graphs after it break it into individual measurements for the selected fit. Each curve shows how scores are spread across all tested hearing aids, and the dot and number mark the score for Apple AirPods Pro 2.

SoundScore
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5.0
Choose your fit

Every hearing aid is lab-tested in two states — as it sounds out of the box, and after professional tuning. Switch fits to update the five metric graphs below.

As it sounds out of the box
Speech in quiet
New
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5.0

How clearly speech comes through in calm, one-on-one surroundings.

Speech in noise
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5.0

Speech understanding against loud background noise — the toughest everyday test.

Own voice
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5.0

How natural your own voice sounds while wearing the aids, without a boomy, plugged-up quality.

Music streaming
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5.0

Sound quality of music streamed to the hearing aids over Bluetooth.

Feedback handling
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5.0

Resistance to the whistling and squealing caused by acoustic feedback.

Our Assessment

Where the AirPods Pro 2 Stands as a Hearing Aid

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 26% of OTC hearing aids tested. At $249, it represents one of the more affordable options in the category while delivering strong overall performance.

In our testing, the AirPods Pro 2 shows particular strength in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—a strong result that sits 1.38 points above the category average. Music streaming is where this device truly excels, earning 4.4/5 and outperforming the category average by a substantial 2.48 points. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users should experience virtually no whistling issues.

The device does have limitations. Own-voice comfort scores 1.9/5, which is low in absolute terms and 0.61 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds different or boomy. Speech in noise performance is above average for the category at 2.3/5 (+0.77 points), but this remains a mixed result in absolute terms, suggesting challenging listening environments will still be difficult.

The AirPods Pro 2 is best suited for consumers already in the Apple ecosystem who want hearing support primarily in quieter settings and value excellent music and media streaming. Those frequently in noisy environments or sensitive to own-voice changes may want to consider alternatives.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hero
Apple AirPods Pro 2
VerdictListening TestGraphAudioLab NotesSpecsMore
Reliable & Repeatable Lab Results

Quality data starts with quality recordings. HearAdvisor worked with GRAS to build a no-compromise front end so every test is repeatable and reliable.

Learn more
Steve in HearAdvisor Lab

Listen for Yourself

Compare Apple AirPods Pro 2 in a Blind Listening Test

Hear Apple AirPods Pro 2 and competing devices recorded under identical acoustic conditions, without seeing which is which. Complete the side-by-side challenge to reveal the products, learn which sound you prefer, and add your anonymized responses to HearAdvisor's research database.

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Amplification Data

How the AirPods Pro 2 Matches Prescribed Gain Targets

The insertion gain graph below plots measured amplification against prescriptive targets across the frequency range. This visualization shows where the device meets, exceeds, or falls short of the gain profile for standardized hearing loss.

Graph

Audio Evidence

Hear the AirPods Pro 2 Through Our Test Manikin

These recordings capture what the Apple AirPods Pro 2 delivers to the ear canal during standardized speech tests. Compare them against our unaided reference to hear the difference amplification makes.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Audio Samples

How this hearing aid sounds in our lab scenes. Compare it out of the box and after professional tuning.

Before you listen

  1. Use good-quality headphones.
  2. Take out your hearing aids while you compare.
  3. Play the to set a comfortable level, then leave it.
  4. Switch recordings while it plays. You won't lose your place.
Scene type

Scene type: Conversation

Scene: Cafe 1

As tested out of the box
0:00
–:––

164 lab recordings of this product. They demonstrate relative processing in our lab and cannot predict an individual fitting outcome.

Test Documentation

How We Configured the AirPods Pro 2 for Testing

Our lab notes document the specific settings, firmware version, and test conditions used during evaluation. This transparency allows you to understand exactly how we arrived at our measurements.

Lab Notes

Initial fit observations

In the initial fit configuration with closed dome coupling, the AirPods Pro 2 achieves a normalized score of 3.9/5. Speech in quiet starts at 2.8/5, while speech in noise measures 1.4/5—both moderate results that leave room for improvement. Music streaming performs strongly at 4.4/5, and feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5. Own-voice comfort is low at 1.9/5, which may be noticeable to new users. The initial fit provides solid everyday performance but benefits considerably from tuning adjustments.

Tuned fit observations

After tuning with the same closed dome coupling, the normalized score improves significantly to 4.6/5—a gain of 0.7 points. Speech in quiet jumps to a strong 4.2/5, and speech in noise improves to 2.3/5. Music streaming and feedback handling remain excellent at 4.4/5 and 5.0/5 respectively. Own-voice comfort stays at 1.9/5, indicating this limitation persists regardless of tuning. The tuned configuration demonstrates the device's potential when properly adjusted through the app's hearing test and personalization features.

Test configuration

Initial Fitting
Tuned Fitting
Ear Coupling
Closed Dome
Closed Dome
Receiver
Integrated in device
Integrated in device
Fitting Formula
Proprietary manufacturer default
Proprietary manufacturer default
Listening Program
Default
Default
Volume Setting
50% (Default Half volume)
100% (Max volume)
Software Version
iOS v18.1, Device v7B19
iOS v18.1, Device v7B19
Tuning Adjustments
Programmed to N3 audiogram, Conversation Boost enabled, Ambient Noise Reduction at maximum
Programmed to N3 audiogram, Conversation Boost enabled, Ambient Noise Reduction at maximum, Tone at Brighter maximum
Notes
n/a
n/a
Specs
Android Streaming
Android Streaming
iPhone Streaming
iPhone Streaming
Visible in Ear
Visible in Ear
Hands-Free
Hands-Free
Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable Batteries

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