2024-11-09 07:07:00
With the release of iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and the updated firmware, Apple has now significantly expanded the range of functions of the already impressive earbuds. Various features under the heading “Hearing healthThe focus is all this: from now on, owners of the AirPods Pro 2 will be able to undergo a professional level hearing test without going to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat medicine,Additionally, AirPods Pro 2 now protect against loud noises up to 110 dBA and, in combination with the hearing test, serve as a hearing aid for ears with mild to moderate hearing impairments.
This has never happened before. There are some earphones and headphones available on the market that use some kind of hearing test to determine the wearer’s individual hearing curve and use this measurement data to create a correction curve to improve the sound. But these are not scientifically recognized hearing tests like those now available with the AirPods Pro 2. – Incidentally, these new features are not available with the Apple AirPods 4, which, as open or “semi-open” headphones, do not offer the basic acoustic requirements needed for such a test.
The AirPods Pro 2 already offer some unique features that fit well with the topic of hearing health and make them particularly comfortable to wear. This includes, for example, the adaptive transparency mode. Here external noises are virtually transmitted through the (acoustically closed) listeners. Others can do this, too, but the AirPods Pro 2’s adaptive mode works so well that the earbuds feel pretty much exactly like open-back headphones. You are not isolated from the outside world. Furthermore, the adaptive mode ensures that particularly loud external noises are still suppressed, if necessary, using intelligent noise cancellation technology.
There are also features such as automatic conversation recognition. If the person wearing the AirPods speaks to someone, the system automatically reduces the playback volume and transmits the interlocutor’s voice to his ears. Once the conversation is finished, after a few seconds the last used volume will be restored. If other people in the immediate vicinity speak, but the wearer does not participate in the conversation, the volume remains unchanged.
With the custom volume function, the system can also use machine learning to analyze the wearer’s listening habits in different environments and automatically adjust the volume appropriately. Voice isolation also effectively blocks background noise, such as wind, during conversations or phone calls, thus improving speech intelligibility. With these and some other features Apple is clearly ahead of the curve when it comes to practical features for earphones.
Next page: AirPods 2 Pro: the hearing test (not the sound test)
Other pages of the article:
Additional articles:
05.10.24 ·
Testing and personal experimentation: these are the best headphones for training on the ergometer/exercise bike
24.08.24 ·
FiiO FH19 flagship IEM test: If in-ear, then this
11.18.23 ·
Try 1More True Wireless Earphones FIT S50 and S30 SE: is open-ear the new in-ear?
24.06.23 ·
Test: New Shokz OpenFit earphones: salvation for all those who hate earphones?
It seems you pasted a segment of an article discussing the Apple AirPods Pro 2, specifically focusing on their performance during workouts and their new features related to hearing health. Here’s a concise summary of the key points:
Summary of AirPods Pro 2 Features and Performance
- Overall Performance: The AirPods Pro 2 have been tested for their effectiveness during training on an ergometer and were found superior to other headphones due to their excellent sound quality, ease of use, and comfort.
- Hearing Health Features:
– With the iOS/iPadOS 18.1 update, users can now conduct professional-level hearing tests using the AirPods Pro 2.
– They provide noise protection against sounds up to 110 dBA and can act as hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss.
– Unlike some other headphones, the hearing tests provided by AirPods Pro 2 are scientifically recognized.
- Adaptive Transparency Mode: This feature allows external sounds to be heard clearly without isolating the user, effectively mimicking open-back headphones. It suppresses loud noises intelligently.
- Automatic Conversation Recognition: The earbuds can automatically lower volume during conversations and enhance the speaker’s voice, returning to the previous volume afterward.
- Custom Volume Adjustment: Using machine learning, the AirPods Pro 2 can analyze listening habits and adjust volume levels based on different environments.
- Voice Isolation Technology: This feature enhances speech clarity by reducing background noise during calls.
Conclusion
The AirPods Pro 2 stand out for their combination of sound quality, comfort, and advanced features, particularly those aimed at hearing health, making them a leading choice for both casual listeners and those focused on fitness.
For further information, the article provides additional links and mentions other reviews related to headphones suited for workouts.