Taking Apple's AirPods Pro Hearing Test Was a Reality Check. This Is How We Protect Our Hearing Now - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our test results were a wake-up call to take our hearing health seriously. Here's why you should, too. Head of Editorial Inititiatives and Data Journalism Hearing difficulties aren’t just an issue for older adults. Roughly 48 million Americans have some kind of hearing issue in one or both ears, according to a CDC report. What’s to be blamed? From listening to music at dangerously loud volumes to regular exposure to unhealthy ambient sound levels at concerts or sporting events, hearing difficulties are a silent epidemic plaguing young Americans. That got us thinking — just how good was our own hearing health? Moreover, what can we do to safeguard it? CNET’s wellness experts put Apple’s Hearing Test through its paces using the AirPods Pro 2. We also tapped experts for professional opinions and to better understand the results. Here’s what we found. In the fall of 2024, Apple announced its clinicall