How to take Apple’s hearing test – and what to do if your hearing loss is more than mild

Apple really pulled off a great feat. You can now test your hearing with your AirPods Pro 2 and an iPhone running iOS 18. It’s a groundbreaking feature, FDA-approved and perfect for catching mild to moderate hearing loss early.

First, to take the hearing test, you’ll need:

  • Apple AirPods Pro 2: Only specific models work (A2931, A2699, A2698, A3047, A3048, A3049). To see your model number, on your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list (e.g., “Kim’s AirPods”). Tap the More Info button next to them.
  • An iOS 18-compatible iPhone or iPad: Scroll to the very bottom of this page to see if yours is on the list.

Once you have your earbuds and iPhone or iPad ready to go:

  • Confirm your AirPods Pro 2 firmware version is 7B19: (More info here.) If not, place your AirPods Pro 2 in their charging case, close the lid, and connect the case to a power source. Keep your paired iPhone, iPad or Mac nearby, connected to Wi-Fi and with Bluetooth enabled. Leave your AirPods Pro 2 near your paired device for at least an hour — maybe even days. No, you can’t force the firmware update.

👂 Now, let’s take the hearing test: On your paired device, go to Settings > AirPods Pro > Take a Hearing Test. In 10 minutes, you’ll have a clear picture of your hearing health. If hearing loss is detected, try Apple’s hearing aid features. Find these under Settings > AirPods Pro > Hearing Assistance.

Apple’s solution only works for mild to moderate hearing loss. If your hearing issues go beyond mild to moderate, it’s time to explore more advanced options.

If you’re on Android

There are no FDA-approved hearing apps or earbuds like Apple’s AirPods, but there are tools for getting a quick sense of how well you’re hearing:

  • Sennheiser Hearing Test: Got headphones? This app takes less than 5 minutes to check your hearing and gives you clear insights into your hearing ability.
  • Hearing Test by e-audiologia.pl: This app’s a double feature, offering pure-tone audiometry and digits-in-noise tests. Bonus: It also has a noise meter to make sure your testing environment is quiet enough.

These are perfect for a quick hearing health check. If you notice any issues, though, don’t skip the professionals; get a full evaluation from a hearing expert.

Different levels of hearing loss

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Fact: Hiring the right person can be challenging. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right tools, hiring can be simple.

Kim’s pick when it comes to adding to the team at Komando HQ? LinkedIn. Keep reading to find out why LinkedIn can help businesses of any size add the right people. Visit LinkedIn.com/Kim. 

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Cybertruck frunk almost chops off fingers

The Cybertruck front truck (“frunk”) has a safety feature that looks mighty unsafe to me.

We’re hiring right now! Our tips for finding the right person

You get what you pay for, and that’s true when it comes to free job boards, too.

Post a job opening to one and sure, you might get a stack of resumes — but there’s a good chance you’ll spend way more time sorting through unqualified candidates than interviewing your next great team member.

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