Apple’s September 9, 2024 announcement paired two new open-ear earbuds with hearing-health features for the existing AirPods Pro 2. AirPods 4 launched at $129, or $179 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC); the Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection features were for AirPods Pro 2, not AirPods 4. As of August 16, 2026, Apple’s U.S. store still listed those AirPods 4 prices.
What Apple announced
The announcement combined a new generation of entry-level AirPods with a software and firmware update for AirPods Pro 2. It did not introduce a new AirPods Pro 2 hardware generation. Apple described the three Pro features as a hearing-health experience: Hearing Protection, Hearing Test, and Hearing Aid. Apple’s announcement set September 9, 2024, as the reveal date; AirPods 4 went on sale September 20. Apple planned the Pro features for a free software update in fall 2024.
The U.S. regulatory milestone followed on September 12, 2024, when the FDA authorized Apple’s Hearing Aid Feature software as an over-the-counter hearing-aid device. That authorization applies to the feature for its intended use; it is not blanket FDA approval of every AirPods model as a hearing aid. The FDA’s notice called it the first OTC hearing-aid software device authorized by the agency.
AirPods 4: two open-ear options
Both AirPods 4 versions use a redesigned open-ear shape and Apple’s H2 chip. Apple also announced improved audio processing and call quality, Voice Isolation, hands-free Siri interactions, a USB-C charging case, and up to 24 hours of listening time with the case. That battery figure is Apple’s announced maximum, not a guarantee for every listening pattern.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
| Model | U.S. price | Fit and noise control | Case and other differences | Hearing-health features in the 2024 announcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 4 | $129 launch price; $129 on Apple’s U.S. store as of August 16, 2026 | Open-ear; no ANC | USB-C case; Apple announced up to 24 hours total listening time with the case | Not included; the announced Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection features were for AirPods Pro 2 |
| AirPods 4 with ANC | $179 launch price; $179 on Apple’s U.S. store as of August 16, 2026 | Open-ear; adds ANC, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness | Wireless charging case; Apple announced up to 24 hours total listening time with the case | Not included; the announced Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection features were for AirPods Pro 2 |
| AirPods Pro 2 | Not stated in the announcement source | In-ear design with silicone tips | Not stated in the announcement source | Hardware named for the announced Hearing Protection, Hearing Test, and Hearing Aid features |
Apple’s U.S. store prices and product distinctions are shown on its AirPods 4 buying page. The $50 difference buys ANC and additional listening modes, not the Pro hearing-health feature set. The open-ear fit also means AirPods 4 do not seal the ear like AirPods Pro 2: people who need ear tips, a more sealed fit, or stronger passive isolation may prefer the Pro design. ANC on the open-ear model does not change that fit distinction.
What the AirPods Pro 2 hearing features do
Hearing Protection
Hearing Protection is designed to reduce exposure to loud environmental sound while preserving the character of audio. Apple said it works across listening modes, including at live events. It should not be treated as a guarantee against hearing damage or as a substitute for appropriate hearing protection in hazardous settings such as workplaces, shooting ranges, or around loud machinery. Performance can depend on fit, ear anatomy, the environment, and whether the earbuds are functioning and charged. Apple details technical and operating limitations in its Hearing Protection data sheet.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Hearing Test
The Hearing Test uses pure-tone audiometry: the user listens to tones at different frequencies and indicates when they can hear them. The result is a hearing profile, stored in the Health app and shareable with a healthcare provider. Apple described the test as scientifically validated, but a consumer self-test is not a comprehensive evaluation of every possible hearing problem. Apple’s regulatory instructions describe pulsed tones from 250 to 8,000 Hz and a response window of about two to three seconds. The details appear in its Hearing Test instructions.
For a useful attempt, choose a quiet place, wear the AirPods as instructed, and follow the on-screen prompts. An invalid or interrupted result does not establish that hearing is normal or that the earbuds are defective: noise, fit, positioning, or responses can affect whether a test completes. Apple’s test instructions describe fit-related and other failure conditions.
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- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Hearing Aid
The Hearing Aid feature uses the hearing profile to personalize amplification through compatible AirPods Pro 2. It is intended for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, within the feature’s device, software, and regulatory limits. Apple’s U.S. instructions document the intended use and technical limits; see the Hearing Aid Feature instructions.
This is not a claim that AirPods replace all prescription hearing aids, treat every form of hearing loss, or diagnose a medical condition. Sudden hearing loss, loss in one ear, ear pain or discharge, dizziness, severe tinnitus, a major change in hearing, or difficulty understanding speech despite adequate volume warrants professional assessment rather than reliance on a self-test or self-fitting feature.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
Compatibility, age, and regional availability
At announcement, Apple said the Pro hearing features required AirPods Pro 2 with current firmware, a compatible iPhone or iPad, and iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later. The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid were intended for people aged 18 and older. Availability depended on regulatory authorization and could vary by region. These were the stated launch requirements; Apple’s operating-system and device compatibility can change, so check its current hearing-health feature guide and Hearing Aid support page for current requirements and setup.
In the United States, Apple’s regulatory instructions list specific compatible devices for the Hearing Aid Feature, including iPhone XS or later and selected iPad generations. That U.S. device list should not be taken as a global compatibility list: local authorization and feature availability differ. If a feature does not appear, possible causes include outdated firmware or operating software, an incompatible device, or lack of regional support.
Best Value
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION—AirPods 5 offer improved Active Noise Cancellation to help reduce outside noise, at their best value yet.
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency for the best listening experience in any environment.* Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing if you start talking.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION—Communicate across languages using Live Translation, enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- NEW SIRI AI—Get more done every day with hands-free access to an even more powerful and personalized AI assistant on your iPhone.* Ask open-ended questions, brainstorm, and have full conversations.
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY—Next-generation Adaptive EQ for better sound quality. Voice Isolation improves call quality in loud conditions,* using advanced computational audio to reduce background noise and clarify your voice.
Which model fits which buyer?
Choose AirPods 4 if you want the open-ear design without ANC
The standard model is the lower-priced AirPods 4 option for listeners who prefer earbuds without silicone tips and do not need ANC. It is not the choice for someone seeking the Pro 2 hearing-health features.
Choose AirPods 4 with ANC if you want noise control but not an in-ear seal
The ANC version adds ANC, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and a wireless charging case while retaining the open-ear design. It suits people who want those controls and prefer not to use silicone tips, but an open fit may provide less passive isolation than a sealed in-ear model.
Consider AirPods Pro 2 for the hearing features or a sealed fit
AirPods Pro 2 are the model named for the 2024 Hearing Protection, Hearing Test, and Hearing Aid announcement. Their in-ear tips also provide a different fit from AirPods 4. The hearing features are only relevant if the user meets their intended-use, age, device, software, and regional requirements; they should not be the sole basis for handling complex or urgent hearing symptoms.
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