If the AirPods hearing test is missing, connect your buds, update iOS, then run Custom Audio Setup or Hearing Test from AirPods settings.
The hearing test feature hides behind a couple of menus and, in some cases, depends on the AirPods model and software version. On newer Pro models you’ll see a full Hearing Test tied to Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features. On other models you’ll use Custom Audio Setup inside Headphone Accommodations. If the test doesn’t appear, the steps below walk you through the exact places to check, the switches to toggle, and the model limits that often trip people up.
What The Hearing Test Actually Is
Apple ships two different “tests” that people mix up. One is the Hearing Test that lives inside the AirPods settings panel on compatible Pro models. It measures thresholds and saves results in the Health app. The other is Custom Audio Setup under Headphone Accommodations. That one plays short samples and tunes tone and amplification to your choices. Both aim to shape sound to your ears, but they live in different places and not every headset shows both.
Broadly, AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 can run the full Hearing Test and offer a Hearing Aid mode once the test or an audiogram is on file. AirPods 2, 3, 4, Pro 1, Max, and many Beats models support Headphone Accommodations with Custom Audio Setup. Knowing which menu you should see saves a lot of guesswork.
Where You’ll Find Hearing Customization
| Device | Menu Path | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad (Pro 2/Pro 3) | Settings → tap your AirPods name | “Take A Hearing Test,” Hearing Assistance, Hearing Protection |
| iPhone / iPad (other AirPods) | Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Headphone Accommodations | “Custom Audio Setup,” manual tone and amplification controls |
| Mac (Pro 2/Pro 3) | System Settings → AirPods → Hearing Health | Hearing Test, Hearing Assistance, Hearing Protection |
| Mac (other AirPods) | System Settings → Accessibility → Audio | Headphone Accommodations → “Custom Audio Set-Up” |
| Health App | Browse → Hearing | Saved hearing test result or audiogram |
AirPods Hearing Test Missing — Quick Fix Flow
Work through these in order. Each step removes a common blocker that keeps the test from appearing.
1) Connect And Wear Your AirPods
Pop both earbuds in and wait for the connected banner near the top of Settings. The test only shows for the device that’s currently active. If the buds are paired to multiple Apple devices, the menu can lag behind until the link is solid.
2) Open The Right Panel
On Pro 2 or Pro 3, go to Settings → your AirPods name and look for “Take A Hearing Test.” On other models, go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Headphone Accommodations and use Custom Audio Setup. Apple’s guide to Headphone Accommodations shows the exact flow and supported models.
3) Update Software And Firmware
Run the latest iOS or iPadOS. The full Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features require current software on supported Pro models. Keep the case near your iPhone and on charge so the earbuds can update too. Apple notes that enabling Hearing Assistance on Pro 2/Pro 3 needs iOS 18.1 or later.
4) Turn Off Conflicting Audio Tweaks
EQ and channel balance can hide or skew the setup prompts. Turn Music EQ off in Settings → Music → EQ. Center the balance slider in Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual. Apple lists both resets before Custom Audio Setup.
5) Pick The Correct Feature Family
If you’re on Pro 2/Pro 3, the Hearing Test sits on the AirPods panel along with Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection. On other models you won’t see that button; you’ll only have Headphone Accommodations. Apple’s AirPods user guide page for the Hearing Test spells out the Pro 2/Pro 3 route, where the test lives, and how results save to Health.
6) Quiet Room, Good Fit
The test won’t start if the room is noisy or the seal is poor. Close doors and windows. If you use silicone tips, run the Ear Tip Fit Test first on Pro models to confirm the seal, then retry the hearing test. Apple’s Pro fit guidance shows the quick seal check.
7) Check Country Availability (Pro 2/Pro 3)
The Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection features are not available in every region. If you don’t see the buttons on Pro 2/Pro 3 after updating and connecting, availability may be the reason. Apple links to a dedicated availability page from the Hearing Health guide.
8) Re-pair If Menus Look Stuck
If the panel still looks wrong, forget the AirPods and pair again. Go to Settings → Bluetooth, tap the “i” next to your AirPods, then tap Forget This Device. Put the buds in the case, hold the button to reset, and reconnect. Menus often refresh after a clean pair.
Why The Button Disappears On Some Setups
A few small details can hide the option you’re expecting. Here’s what trips users the most.
Hearing Assistance Overrides Older Sliders
When Hearing Assistance is on for Pro 2 or Pro 3, the system uses that profile. The classic Headphone Accommodations page may look trimmed down since the full feature set sits on the AirPods panel instead. Apple flags this hand-off in its Headphone Accommodations doc.
Model Mismatch
Only Pro 2 and Pro 3 offer the full Hearing Test and Hearing Aid feature set. AirPods 2, 3, 4, Pro 1, Max, and listed Beats models use Headphone Accommodations with Custom Audio Setup. If you’re holding a non-Pro set, you won’t see the Hearing Test button.
Mix-Up With Other Tests
Ear Tip Fit Test (or Test Acoustic Seal) checks the seal and isn’t the same as a hearing profile test. It’s easy to follow the wrong breadcrumbs and think the hearing feature is gone. The fit test lives on the AirPods page and is handy to run before any hearing setup.
Model And Software Matrix
Match your headset to the feature you should expect to see. This keeps you from hunting through menus that don’t apply.
| Headphones | Feature You Get | Software Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection; plus Headphone Accommodations | iOS/iPadOS current; features vary by region |
| AirPods Pro 2 | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection; plus Headphone Accommodations | iOS 18.1+ for Hearing Assistance; region limits apply |
| AirPods Pro 1 | Headphone Accommodations with Custom Audio Setup | iOS/iPadOS 14+ |
| AirPods 4 (both) | Headphone Accommodations with Custom Audio Setup | iOS/iPadOS 14+ |
| AirPods 3 / AirPods 2 | Headphone Accommodations with Custom Audio Setup | iOS/iPadOS 14+ |
| AirPods Max | Headphone Accommodations; Transparency tuning | iOS/iPadOS 14+ / macOS support |
| Supported Beats (Fit Pro, Solo Pro, Powerbeats lines) | Headphone Accommodations with Custom Audio Setup | iOS/iPadOS 14+ / macOS support |
Apple’s current list of supported headphones for Headphone Accommodations appears in its “Customize headphone audio levels” article, and the Pro-only Hearing Test flow is covered in the AirPods user guide. Both pages are linked above.
Run The Hearing Test The Right Way (Pro 2/Pro 3)
Once your buds are connected and the room is quiet, open Settings, tap the AirPods name, then tap Take A Hearing Test. Follow the prompts until you see the result card. The system can suggest setting up Hearing Aid right away. Apple’s user guide outlines this path and where your results live. If the room noise spikes or the seal slips, the test will ask you to adjust and try again.
Use Custom Audio Setup On Other Models
For non-Pro sets, or if you prefer a lighter tweak, open Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Headphone Accommodations and tap Custom Audio Setup. You’ll compare short samples, then apply the profile. If you change your mind, you can switch back to standard audio in the same place. Apple documents the exact steps and the prep items (turn EQ off, center balance) on its support page.
Mac Steps If You Don’t See It On iPhone
Using a Mac with your AirPods? You can kick off the same features there. On Pro 2/Pro 3, open System Settings → your AirPods → Hearing Health to take the Hearing Test or adjust Hearing Assistance. On other models, open System Settings → Accessibility → Audio and run Custom Audio Set-Up. Apple’s Mac article covers the layout and options.
Common Mix-Ups And What You’re Seeing
Ear Tip Fit Test vs Hearing Test
One checks seal, the other measures hearing. If you see “Ear Tip Fit Test” or “Test Acoustic Seal,” that’s a fit check. Run it first to help the hearing feature succeed, then head back to the AirPods page for the hearing profile. Apple’s fit guide shows both labels you may see.
Transparency Controls vs Headphone Accommodations
Transparency Mode has its own sliders, including Own Voice Amplification and Conversation Boost. Those settings sit under Headphone Accommodations on supported models. They don’t replace the test, but they can change how voices and ambient sound feel during setup. Apple’s Headphone Accommodations doc explains the tie-in.
Still Missing After All That?
- Reboot iPhone or iPad: A quick restart refreshes the Bluetooth stack and the Settings cache.
- Reset All Settings: Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings. Your data stays; system preferences return to defaults, which clears odd audio toggles.
- Try Another Apple Device: If you have a Mac or a second iOS device on hand, open the paths listed above. If the test shows there, the original device needs a software pass.
- Re-scan Or Add An Audiogram: On Pro 2/Pro 3, you can add a test result under Hearing Assistance on the AirPods page. The user guide details the add flow.
When To Contact Apple
If the menus still look wrong on current software, and your region supports the feature set, reach out to Apple Support. A hardware issue, a stuck firmware, or a managed profile on the device can hide the buttons you expect to see. Support can check your AirPods firmware revision, confirm regional availability, and walk you through a deeper reset without risking your content.
For reference and deeper steps, see Apple’s pages for Headphone Accommodations and the AirPods guide on Hearing Health features. Both sources reflect the menus and model coverage you’ll see on current software.