Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

WAY LONG REVIEW, BUT ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT, SO… TL;DR: Apple AirPods Pro 2s actually help “turn down the volume” of my life-long tinnitus. YMMV… So, for those of us crusty old codgers with beat up ears, here's an interesting discovery I made today: I (unsurprisingly) listen to a lot of stuff while working out in my shop. And as a DOACA ("Dude of a Certain Age") who worked as a roadie & stage tech in the age of Grunge, I have pretty pronounced tinnitus, so I'm doubly careful about my hearing when using some of my larger shop tools, like my cabinet saw, mill, etc, which means I'm often putting hearing protection on, and taking it off repeatedly. I have a decent "bone conduction" headset that allows for environmental awareness, but the protectors don't work with those on. I have tried a few wireless earbuds (most recently the well reviewed certain-Lab “Mini”s) but there was some problem or other with all of them (the Minis sound great, but have terrible connectivity). So I finally sucked it up and got a set of Apple AirPod Pro 2s (yeah, mostly after hearing Adam Savage rave about them in a recent video you can easily find.) An interesting thing about them is that Apple actually worked with the US FDA (for those of you not in America, that's the federal agency that regulates medical devices here in the States—you need to be certified by them to make any medical claims about a product or device) and got these to be certified as Class II hearing aids in the US and Canada. And in addition to a clinical-grade hearing test feature included that runs in the app, the Hearing Aid feature is easy to employ, and actually useful. But that's not what has me so jazzed about these. Aside from the Bluetooth being rather astounding (my wife took my phone to the other end of the house about 40' away, with our chimney stack between us, and stuck it in her sock drawer—totally fine), the noise cancellation is *shockingly* good. And this is where things get interesting, and where we get back around to my tinnitus. Putting these in my ears this morning while sitting in my dining area, next to our furnace closet with the HVAC running, the ANC immediately kicked in. And even with no music or sound playing, the furnace noise (I'd guess about ~50dB) just... *disappeared*. I literally had to take them out and put them back in a few times to see if I was going a bit bonkers. But not only did that sound disappear, but my tinnitus—a group of between five and seven tones of various frequencies between 4kHz - 8/9kHz that has a perceived volume of about 40dB all the time—suddenly had its volume "turned down" by about 10-15dB. It was rather startling. I've heard those tones from the age of 17 on (I'm now 57). Incessantly. Unforgivingly. Perpetually. For them to get quieter was pretty amazing. I suspect that the Active Noise Cancellation is at play here. If you're not aware, AirPods have microphones built into them. The main, obvious ones, are the little sticks that come off them outside your ears that listen to the environment around them. But there is a second set of microphones that detect the sounds *inside your ear canal when the buds are in them* that are likely the heroes here. The buds take both of those sound profiles (technically, it's *four* sound signatures—two for each ear) and then uses machine learning combined with Apple's H2 chip to create "anti-noise." Now, anti-noise is nothing new: I mean, *that's how ANC works*. It's also nothing new to tinnitus sufferers, either. "Noise generators" have been around for decades. There are even apps available that allow you to pump white, gray, pink, brown, or other noise "colors," or other environmental sounds (ocean waves, rain, fireplace crackling, etc) into your ears -via- buds throughout the day to "mask" tinnitus. Many people have decent luck with this kind of tinnitus self-treatment—I never have. I suspect that it's the inner microphones (Apple is one of a handful of current makers that have this) that are really helping to effectively mask the sound that gets past the bud seals, combined with (love 'em or hate 'em) Apple's crazy level of R&D that gets these buds to analyze not only the environmental noise profile *outside* the buds, but the sound that *gets past the buds*. This winds up being a broader noise profile, so the buds generate a broader palate of anti-noise, and then puts it *right in your ear*. Now to be clear, I can still hear my tinnitus tones. They're just less present in the... what? *"auditory mix"* in my head. But boy oh boy is the change noticeable. At least for now. It may be that in time my ears get used to the trick. But as of right now? I'm fine with being fooled. It may be that other buds with ANC also do this, but I can't speak to any other solutions except the comparison to my -Labs. I get nothing if you buy these or any other buds. This is just my experience, but as someone who's lived with this affliction for so long, ANY positive change is important enough for me to take time, write down, and share my experience. YMMV. If you have tinnitus, or hearing problems (or suspect you might) these are a serious consideration.

First, please comment if you have any questions and I would love to respond to help! I had the AirPods Pro Gen1 prior to these, but the new AirPods blew them out of the water. The added ear tips make customability even better especially for small ears like mine. The Active Noise Cancellation is clearly superior to the first generation and the addition of Adaptive audio is super cool and very useful. The battery is even better than I was expecting. The AirPods charge super fast in the case, and the case charging itself is also super fast. The USB-C cord is a very nice addition especially with the new, more common, USB-C charging block. The new Apple Braided USB-C cord is also a small but nice touch. I personally do not use the ring on the side, but I imagine many people may find it useful. The addition of the Find My capabilities with both the case and the AirPods themselves is beyond helpful because I always seem to misplace them. Small bonus, every time you charge the case or the AirPods, the case sounds off a little chime to let you know that they are charging or if the battery is low. As an owner of the AirPods Max and a former owner of the AirPods Pro gen 1, I would 100% recommend this new generation. The noise cancellation is superior to the gen 1, but slightly behind the Maxes because they are in-ear instead of over-ear. If you want the maxes, I would get them, but it depends on your activities. I have noticed recently how good the sound quality is. It’s stunning. Sometimes I still prefer my Maxes for certain listening experiences or if I’m heavily invested in a movie or I have a long flight, but the quality on the 2nd gen pros is so crisp. Some pitches you can notice are superior to that of the Maxes. In terms of listen, Maxes win, but it’s so damn close. AirPods Pro are ideal because they are small, discrete, and light weight. You can slip them in your pocket or place just one in your ear. They are also very useful and comfortable to use while working out, as opposed to the maxes. The AirPods are quite durable too. If my first pair is any indication to this pair, then I promise you, they can take a beating. After 4 years of having the first gen AirPods Pro, I have thrown them around, dropped them hundreds of times and they often got small scratches, but only chipped once or twice after higher falls on super hard surfaces. But they worked every single time. Long story short, if you’re on the fence, get them. They are super great for travel, workouts/runs, house chores, and all activities in general. Hope you find this helpful, if you have any questions please comment them!

A couple months ago I got “commercial” hearing aids from the VA. However, I didn’t like how they operated so I gave them back, and they’re going to order a different brand/model, which I’ll have in about three months (!) So I went in search of quality, inexpensive hearing aids to fill the gap. (My hearing loss is considered mild, at -32db on one side and -39db on the other.) I got the AirPods last Friday, and the software for hearing aid support rolled out last night (iOS 18.1) So this will be a two part review. Part one is the overall operation as earbuds for music and calls. These are my first ever Apple branded sound devices. Once I got the correct tips installed and the buds fitted, I was ready to go. OMG! The sound quality overall is the best of any earbuds I’ve ever owned, and by a huge margin. Astonishing bass, and crisp high range. (My hearing loss is in the upper ranges.) I’m beyond happy. Overall, the only thing I’m dissatisfied with is the battery life at 5-6 hours, but the extremely fast recharge speed eases that compliant. Voice quality when on a call is crystal clear. Controls are easy, though a bit hard to operate considering how small they are. Part two is the hearing aid function. The first thing I had to do was take a hearing test with the included software. (However, if you prefer to use a third party hearing test, you can import that profile and use it.) The hearing test takes about 5 minutes, after which the hearing aid sound enhancement profile is set automatically and they start up. I was totally gobsmacked at how well these things work! They boost the exact freqs I need. They actually work considerably better than those $7000 (egads!) hearing aids that I returned. Now for the ANC. At home, I sit right in front of a large, noisy window air conditioner. On the opposite side of the room is a dehumidifier (I live in south central Texas, where it was 91° yesterday.) Between these two pieces of equipment, it’s pretty noisy here. I turned on ANC and the room went absolutely silent. So silent that I thought I’d popped a circuit breaker and everything had stopped running. I removed one of the AirPods, and the noise returned. Amazing. In short, everything I’d hoped the commercial hearing aids would do, the AirPods actually DID. I consider this the smartest purchase I’ve made in years. Only one negative, and that’s the ear tips. None of the provided sizes are a good fit for me, so I’m now looking to memory foam replacements. But that’s a very small gripe. If you’re looking at these, either for music or hearing, don’t hesitate. You’ll be glad you got them. EDIT: I had to go to a doctor appointment across town today. Part of the route is on a toll highway with an 80 mph speed limit and heavy traffic. I got up to speed and turned on noise cancel mode. INSTANTLY the car was completely silent at 80 mph. No road rumble, no engine noise, no wind noise, no traffic noise. It was an amazing and invigorating experience. Oh, for those wondering about recharge time, if you take them all the way down to 0% battery and they shut down (I’ve now ascertained that 6 hours is about what you get with all the options turned on), it only takes about 15 minutes in the charge case and you’ll easily get another 3-4 hours out of them. EDIT2: Okay, I’ve had these for almost a month, and I just keep liking them more and more. I didn’t mention pairing in my original text above, so I need to mention it here. There is, in effect, no pairing that you need to do, at least in the Apple-verse. By the time I’d opened the charging case and looked at the buds, they’d already paired with both my iPhone and iPad. I didn’t have to go into settings on my iOS devices, or press any buttons on the case. Just open case and it’s done. As a computer engineer for 40 years, I have never seen a faster or more seamless pairing of anything. One more word on recharging: just today I took them all the way to zero. Dropped them in the charger and in FIVE MINUTES they were at 24%. I am in love with the hearing aid functionality. I hear sounds in movies that I’d never heard before in my life, even when my hearing was perfect. And I can adjust amplification either by going into settings on my iPhone, or sliding my finger up or down on the stem.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are a premium pair of true wireless earbuds that offer superior noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and improved battery life over the previous model. With the H2 chip, Adaptive Transparency, and Personalized Spatial Audio, Apple has refined the listening experience while maintaining the signature AirPods convenience. Pros & Cons ✅ Pros: • Excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with the new H2 chip • Rich, detailed sound with enhanced bass and clarity • Adaptive Transparency Mode lets in important sounds while reducing harsh noise • Improved battery life (Up to 6 hours per charge, 30 hours with case) • Find My integration for both the case and earbuds • New USB-C charging case (latest version) with built-in speaker and lanyard loop • Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking • Touch controls on stems for volume adjustments ❌ Cons: • Expensive compared to competitors • No support for high-resolution audio codecs (LDAC, aptX) • Still white-only design (no color options) • Silicone tips may not fit all ears perfectly Design & Comfort Apple sticks with its minimalist white design, but the AirPods Pro 2 are slightly tweaked for better ergonomics and stability. The four included ear tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) allow for a more customized fit, making them comfortable for extended wear. The MagSafe charging case now has a built-in speaker for better Find My alerts, a lanyard loop, and USB-C charging (for the latest version). Sound Quality The AirPods Pro 2 deliver crisp highs, balanced mids, and deeper bass compared to the first-gen model. The H2 chip enhances audio processing, making sound richer and more immersive. Key Features: • Adaptive EQ fine-tunes music in real time. • Personalized Spatial Audio creates a theater-like 360° experience. • Bass is punchier without overpowering vocals. While the sound is fantastic, audiophiles may miss high-resolution codec support like aptX or LDAC. Active Noise Cancellation & Transparency Mode • ANC is 2x better than the original AirPods Pro, making them among the best noise-canceling earbuds. • Adaptive Transparency Mode intelligently reduces sudden loud noises while keeping voices and ambient sound clear. Whether you’re in a busy city, on a plane, or at the gym, the AirPods Pro 2 handle noise exceptionally well. Battery Life & Charging • Up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC on (vs. 4.5 hours in the original AirPods Pro). • Up to 30 hours total with the MagSafe charging case. • USB-C, MagSafe, and Apple Watch charger compatibility (for the newest model). Battery life is solid, but some competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer longer playtime. Connectivity & Features • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch). • Bluetooth 5.3 for better stability and efficiency. • Audio Sharing lets you connect two pairs of AirPods to one device. • Siri voice control for hands-free use. Android users can use them, but they’ll miss features like auto-switching, spatial audio, and Find My tracking. Final Verdict The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are an outstanding choice for Apple users looking for top-tier noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and seamless integration with their devices. While pricey, they deliver a premium audio experience with strong ANC, spatial audio, and deep Apple ecosystem connectivity. ⭐ Rating: 9/10 ⭐ Best For: ✅ Apple users who want the best wireless earbuds for iPhones ✅ Commuters and travelers needing top-tier noise cancellation ✅ Those who love Spatial Audio for immersive sound Consider Alternatives If: ❌ You need hi-res audio support (Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II) ❌ You’re an Android user (Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro may be better) ❌ You want a cheaper pair of noise-canceling earbuds

I’ve tried several hearing aid substitutes over the years, my past favorite being the now unavailable Bose Hearphones and costing $500. Rather than just a sound amplifier, these had several functions allowing you to filter and focus sounds in various ways and for various situations. They were pretty good. But now Apple has added some great features to their AirPods 2—features that function like far more expensive hearing aids and at less than half the price of the Bose product. I’ve owned these for a month or so and am now just getting the hang of how to use them. If there is a downside to these earbuds it is the rather deep and confusing tech included in them (or, at least confusing for a grandfatherly type like me). Once they are Bluetooth connected to your iPhone (They connect very easily with the button on the front of the EarPod’s charging case.) they should automatically connect every time you put them in your ears. You will then be able to access all the functions by tapping the “settings” app on your phone. You will find a heading near the top of the list just below the box with your name and iCloud options. Tapping on this will allow you to drill down through several pages of options. There are a lot of options there and it can be confusing, but experimenting with the various functions will help you figure out their purpose. The key here is to drill down to find the hearing test. This will quickly test for hearing loss by leading you through a series of tones of varying in pitch and volume. The end result will be an audiogram that can be used to program your EarPods as hearing aids. As stated before, it took me several weeks to find and activate this feature, but when I did a whole new experience dawned. Just be patient and search around for this function. It works very well. Of course, these things also serve as EarPods to listen to music or podcasts. (May I recommend “Pat Gray Unleashed!” if your bent is conservative commentary and just plain fooling around). The quality of sound is phenomenal and the buds are more comfortable than most to keep in your ears for an extended time. To control the volume for this function you can TRY to use the external control buttons located on those silly looking stems that hang out of your ears (good luck) OR just open the “Control Center” page (slide one finger upward on your iPhone screen to access this page) where you’ll find the volume slider. If your EarPods are connected and in your ears you’ll see the slider is marked as controlling the AirPods. I really like these things now that I’m a little more familiar with them. The quality and value are exquisite. If I discover more, I’ll edit this comment. 4 MONTHS LATER: Apple has improved the controls for these in their latest iOS update. The functions I had to dig around to find are now more easily accessed. Getting to the hearing test is now fairly straight forward.

I was skeptical about these Airpod Pro 2's being an upgrade from the previous version, but I'm happy I ignored my doubts and purchased them during Black Friday for a screamin' deal on a worthy updated bit of hardware. The combination of these Airpods and iOS 18 with my iPhone 15 is great! I wanted to utilize the features for the hearing impaired to share with my husband who struggles to hear me (perhaps sometimes that's his intent...). While his hearing loss is significant - approximately 80% in both ears - these do help some. While not a replacement for hearing aids for significant hearing loss, a great option for those with mild loss. I think what I was most impressed by when I first tried these Airpods was their noise-canceling ability. Followed quickly by their transparency mode. Both are equally good and useful. The sound quality is outstanding. I was hearing things in all kinds of music genres (Pop, Rock, Country, Classical) that I had previously missed. There's a depth of sound with nuances that were pleasantly unexpected. Charging is simple via USB-C cable or wireless charging, and effective, with the Airpods lasting on one charge based upon what you're using them for and features enabled. Listening to music, about 5 1/2 hours, but if you add spacial audio to the mix, about 4 1/2 hours. With up to 6 charges of the Airpods per full charge on the case. (Per Google) Here are some other things to know about the AirPods Pro 2 battery life: - A five-minute charge gives you about an hour of battery life - Real-world results may differ from the estimates, which are based on a 50% volume level - To recharge the case, you can put your AirPods back in the case when you're not using them - If you only listen to your AirPods for a few hours a day, you can charge the case every 2 to 3 days I own Bose and Bowers & Wilkins over-ear phones, which both offer excellent audio quality, but these are by far my favorite. I had previously avoided the AirPods as the fit in my ears was not good, but these Pro 2's fit well and in addition to using them at my desk, I could see using them during workouts without issue. Definitely worth your consideration.

I've been impressed with the incredible sound quality. There is noticeably better bass distribution with these AirPods compared to prior generations. The silicone tips allow for long listening sessions without ear pain or discomfort. They stick in my ears with even the most vigorous workouts. The AirPods are fully wireless and keep a charge that lasts me hours. The quality of these are incredible as I've had mine for around 3 years now without any degradation in quality. The active noise cancelling and transparency modes are incredible compared to other products I've tried. Noise cancelling proves to be effective in even the loudest environments. The price proves to be worth it if you use an Apple ecosystem as they are easily integrated but they would still otherwise prove to be a superior product compared to other options.

LOVE these they work great and great battery life. I have small ears so i use the smaller rubber pieces. LOVE the noise cancellation my favorite thing about them

Wir sond super zufrieden mit dem Produkt. Besonders die Geräuscheregulierung gefällt uns sehr gut.

Die sind sehr, sehr gut !

Dies sollte jeder Handybesitzer haben,er kann besser in Ruhe alles hören und verarbeiten. Alle anderen Mitbewohner bleiben ungestört !

Mein Sohn mag die Pods, tun ihren Dienst, er meint es muss nicht immer die dritte Generation sein.