How to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids

Brad Ingrao Dr. Brad Ingrao Audiologist

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  • AirPods have a feature called Live Listen that helps drown out background noise and amplify sounds.
  • For those with very mild hearing loss, the Live Listen feature can help you hear better in noisy environments without paying for a pair of hearing aids.
  • While AirPods can help amplify sounds, they are not a direct alternative to hearing aids. If you’re experiencing hearing loss, read our guide to the best hearing aids to learn how you can improve your hearing today.

Less than 20 percent of people who would benefit from a hearing aid wear one,1 even though untreated hearing loss can lead to additional health problems. Many say high prices keep them from getting hearing aids, and others worry about a negative stigma around hearing loss. Whatever the reason, millions of people in America are struggling with their hearing.

Luckily, for many older adults with mild hearing loss, wireless earbuds like AirPods can be used as an assisted listening device when paired with a smartphone. They are cheaper than hearing aids, and the wearer doesn’t have to let anyone know that they’re using the devices to amplify sounds. Inexpensive and discreet? We like the sound of that. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up and use your AirPods to help with hearing step by step.

Can AirPods Be Used as Hearing Aids?

AirPods utilize a feature called Live Listen that uses your iPhone as a microphone. Live Listen helps drown out background noise and amplify sound so you can hear better in a crowded space or hear someone speaking across the room more clearly. If you ever have trouble hearing someone at dinner in a noisy restaurant, this feature could benefit you.

While this feature helps you use your AirPods to enhance hearing, it does not replace a hearing aid. Hearing aids do more to amplify sound and are highly specific to your particular type of hearing loss, ear anatomy, and needs. An audiologist can help you determine what is right for you. For those with more severe hearing loss, getting the right equipment is extremely important; people who let hearing loss go untreated are at a greater risk for depression and dementia.2

Apple AirPods Pro: A Good Alternative for the Right Situation

If you can’t afford hearing aids and have mild hearing loss, AirPods Pro can help amplify sounds and enhance hearing at a fraction of the cost.

What Devices are Compatible with Live Listen?

To use Live Listen, your iPhone or iPad needs to be running iOS or iPadiOS 14.3 or later. To check whether your software has the necessary updates, do the following:
Step 1. Go to “Settings.”

AirPods - Open "Settings"

AirPods – Open “Settings”

Step 2. Click “General.”

Airpods - Click "General"

Airpods – Click “General”

Step 3. Tap “Software Update.”

AirPods - Click "Software Update"

AirPods – Click “Software Update”

Step 4. Check to see what operating system your device is using.

AirPods - Check your software

AirPods – Check your software

Step 5. If you need to, upgrade by tapping “Download and Install.”

In addition to the right software, you’ll also need a pair of AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Powerbeats Pro.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? There are several types of listening devices and hearing aids that can be paired with an iPhone. For detailed instructions on connecting your hearing aids to an iPhone, view our iPhone and hearing aid setup guide.

How to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids with the Live Listen Feature

Check out the video below with our Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Hoyt, as he walks through the steps to use AirPods as hearing aids. We’ve also included a step-by-step guide in the content below!

To use Live Listen with your iPhone or iPad, you’ll first need to add it to your “Control Center,” which is the screen meant to house your most used features.

Step 1. Go to your settings again and tap “Control Center.”

AirPods - Tap "Control Center"

AirPods – Tap “Control Center”

Step 2. Scroll down to find the “Hearing” icon and tap the green “+” sign next to it.

AirPods - Add the Hearing icon

AirPods – Add the Hearing icon

Step 3. Make sure the hearing icon is now up in the “Included Controls” section.

AirPods - Double check that the Hearing icon was added

AirPods – Double check that the Hearing icon was added

Step 4. Tap “Settings” at the top of your screen to save the change.

AirPods - Tap out of your settings to save changes

AirPods – Tap out of your settings to save changes

Now that you’ve added Live Listen to your Control Center, here’s how to use the feature.

Step 1. Connect your wireless earbuds to your phone and open your settings. Tap “Bluetooth.”

AirPods - Turn on Bluetooth

AirPods – Turn on Bluetooth

Step 2. Tap your wireless listening device so that it reads “Connected.”

AirPods - Connect your AirPods to your iPhone

Connect your AirPods to your iPhone

Step 3. Open your Control Center and check that the hearing icon was added. To access the Control Center, either:

  • Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (iPhone X and later)
  • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and earlier)

Step 4. Tap on the hearing icon.

AirPods - Accessing the Hearing icon in the Control Center

AirPods – Accessing the Hearing icon in the Control Center

Step 5. Tap where it says “Live Listen.” This will turn Live Listen from “Off” to “On.”

AirPods - Turn Live Listen on

AirPods – Turn Live Listen on

Step 6. Put your phone in front of whatever sound you want to hear and adjust the volume to where you need it.

AirPods - Turn off Live Listen

AirPods – Turn off Live Listen

Step 7. Continue using your iPhone as usual by tapping out of the box and tapping or swiping out of the control panel.

Pro Tip:

Pro Tip: While Live Listen is on, your phone will measure the volume of what you listen to by telling you the decibels, or dB. You can use this feature to make sure you aren’t listening to anything too loud for too long, which might further damage your hearing. Damage to your hearing can start at just 80dB when exposed for two hours.3 At 100dB, damage can happen in as little as 15 minutes.

Need Help Finding the Right Hearing Aid?

Answer a few easy questions to find the hearing aid that’s right for you.

How to Turn Off the Live Listen Feature

To turn off Live Listen, simply:
Step 1. Open your Control Center by either:

  • Swiping down from the top right corner of your screen (iPhone X and later)
  • Swiping up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and earlier)

Step 2. Tap the Hearing icon.

AirPods - Accessing the Hearing icon in the Control Center

AirPods – Accessing the Hearing icon in the Control Center

Step 3. Tap “Live Listen” to switch the mode from “On” to “Off.”

AirPods - Turn off Live Listen

AirPods – Turn off Live Listen

Step 4. Return to your home screen by tapping out of the box and tapping or swiping out of the control panel. Happy listening!

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Citations
  1. Healthy Hearing. (2019). Hearing loss statistics at a glance.

  2. Consumer Reports. (2019). Hearing Aid Buying Guide.

  3. CDC. (2021). Loud Noise Can Cause Hearing Loss Quickly or Over Time.

Written By:
Dr. Brad Ingrao
Audiologist
Read About Our Panel of Experts
As a practicing audiologist since the 1990’s, Brad Ingrao, AuD has fitted thousands of hearing aids to seniors and people of all ages. Brad is the Official Audiologist for the International Committee on Sports for the Deaf and a well-known… Learn More About Dr. Brad Ingrao