Apple AirPods Pro 2 now work as hearing aid in more countries, is India on the list?

July 16, 2025: Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are doing more than just playing music or taking calls—they’re stepping into the world of hearing assistance. A new feature, quietly rolled out in over 100 countries after FDA approval in the US, allows the earbuds to act as hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Paired with Media Assist, which enhances clarity during calls, videos, and music playback, the AirPods Pro 2 now inch closer to offering a clinical-grade listening experience—without the bulk or stigma of traditional hearing aids.

This new Hearing Aid mode works by analyzing results from an iPhone hearing test or a professional audiogram, adjusting sound output in real time to meet the user’s unique hearing needs. The feature is exclusive to AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware and requires iOS 18 or later. It’s intended for users aged 18 and older, and Apple has already rolled it out in markets like the US, UK, Australia, Japan, and Germany.

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But there’s a catch—the feature isn’t available in India yet due to pending medical regulatory approvals. Despite that, some Indian users aren’t waiting. An Economic Times report reveals how a group of Bengaluru-based engineers managed to trick the AirPods into activating the feature by spoofing Wi-Fi location data inside a Faraday cage, helping family members access enhanced hearing support long before official availability.

In supported countries, setup is simple: update your AirPods firmware, connect them to your iPhone or iPad, and head to Settings > Your AirPods > Hearing Assistance. From there, you can either take a hearing test or upload audiogram data. The AirPods will fine-tune audio to your hearing profile—most users report noticeable improvements after a few days of adjustment.

While there’s no official timeline for an India launch, growing interest and expanding global access suggest it may not be far off. For now, users in supported regions can enjoy a smarter, more personalised audio experience—from the earbuds they already own.