The Cybertruck front truck (“frunk”) has a safety feature that looks mighty unsafe to me.
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
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Hiring? 5 LinkedIn myths debunked
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.
10 productivity apps for your smartphone to make you more efficient
Have you ever tried to balance a dozen tasks and burned yourself out? If you use your smartphone or tablet for work or just want to stay connected to your team, you already know how much of a hassle it can be. Mobile isn’t always the best choice.
How to share Wi-Fi without giving out your password
Keeping critical data safe can be difficult, especially when cybercriminals keep coming up with sneakier ways to rip us off. That’s why you need to be careful with passwords. If a criminal gets ahold of your credentials, they can do whatever they want with your account. Tap or click here to find out how to create stronger passwords.
Instantly become more productive on your PC or phone with this app
If you ever struggle with getting more done on your PC or phone, it’s time to upgrade. There’s an app that helps boost productivity. The best part? You only need a few minutes of willpower to set it up and eliminate distractions. We’ll explain what it is and how it works.
Review: Will this smart grilling hub boost your backyard barbecue skills?
Speaking from experience, it’s not always easy to grill backyard barbecue favorites like burgers and steaks to the perfect temperature, inside and out, every single time. Variables include what type of grill (gas, charcoal) you’re using, fine-tuning the heat and other factors.
Review: This not only keeps your keys organized, but also makes them hard to lose
Last year, I downsized to a smaller wallet that fits in my front pocket (which you can see here). There is no need to carry all those credit cards and loyalty cards around when many are stored digitally on my phone.
I did the same thing a few years ago with my keys, cutting down the excess bulk I take with me each day. A smaller, lighter keychain can also prove easier to lose.
Review: Smarter Keurig lets you brew coffee from your phone
For many of us, that morning cup of coffee is necessary to start the day on the right track. It’s usually more than a couple of cups for me, but I could rarely get through a whole pot when I used to own a traditional brewer.
Review: This isn't your typical webcam for Zoom calls
Webcams have long been an important part of life at the office, but never to the level of necessity they’ve become over the past two years. Since the start of the pandemic, jumping on a video meeting every so often has become something that, for many, now happens a few times a day.
Review: Liteboxer VR tries to shake up at-home workouts
Working out at home has been all the rage for the better part of two years since the pandemic began. Even though the trend of buying expensive exercise equipment has slowed down, as illustrated by Peloton’s recent struggles, I think for the most part, home fitness is here to stay.
Review: Don't let this handheld vacuum's small size fool you
Look around your home and think about the household staples you might really have a hard time living without. I’m sure a dependable vacuum cleaner is at least somewhere on the list.
Considering it’s the 21st century, you have all sorts to choose from beyond the standard upright or canister vacuum. Cordless stick vacuums and autonomous robots have become common, and for the smaller jobs around the house or in the car, it’s nice to have a compact vacuum.
Review: Comparing iPhone 13 cases from Casetify, OtterBox and Speck
If I felt I had a choice, I would leave my iPhone 13 Pro Max as naked as the day it came out of the box. There’s just this appreciation I have for the design, the muted graphite color and the way the premium phone feels when not encased in a bulky protective shell.
Review: Anker Soundcore Frames merge sound, sunglasses and style
Remember Google Glass? This, let’s say unique, introduction to smart eyewear was supposed to change the tech world as we knew it. And when it was finally made available to the masses in 2014, it certainly made headlines … but not in the way Google had hoped.
Review: RadRover 6 Plus electric bike takes your adventures to the next level
Depending on what part of the country you call home, you might not associate cold weather months with jumping on your bicycle for a joyride around the neighborhood. But in places like Phoenix where it still hovers around 80 degrees, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Review: Give the gift of storage with these compact drives
Think about all the data you store digitally — it could be anything from health records to sensitive financial documents. And what about the ever-growing collection of photos you take on your phone?
Of course, you can back everything up on the cloud. Tap or click here for our comparison of Google Photos, iCloud and IDrive. I’m a big fan of having a backup of the backup, so I also use local storage, including hard drives and flash drives.
Review: Twinkly's smart Christmas tree lights stand out in the crowd
I’ve lost track of how many strands of Christmas tree lights I’ve purchased over the years. Cool white, warm white, red, green, or multicolor with some twinkle and others that wave. Incandescent, LED and fiber optic — I’ve had them all at one point or another.
3 tech favorites Kim relies on that you should, too
As America’s tech pro and a small business owner for over 20 years, Kim has partnered with a few hardware and software vendors and companies.
These companies may sponsor The Kim Komando Show and Komando.com, but she honestly trusts their time-saving tools, security features and money-saving innovations. Kim only partners with companies she is proud to bring to you and uses herself, and she arranges special deals to make these products even more affordable.
Review: A powerful signal booster to improve cell reception at home
As far as cellular technology has come over the years, it still has its limitations. For instance, you might have a poor cell signal at home because of distance from nearby towers, what your home is made of or other potential interference causes. Like having a bad internet connection, it can be unacceptable — especially now.
Review: Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC Earphones
Need a new pair of true wireless earbuds? It used to be a relatively easy decision to make due to the sheer lack of options. Not anymore.
Filter out the cheap, poorly-reviewed stuff and you have real contenders from brands including Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, Soundcore (check out this review) and Jabra with sought-after features like active noise cancellation. Just be ready to pay a pretty penny.