The updated version of Apple's AirPods Pro 2 will function as a hearing aid, and here's what it's like.

• Apple's AirPods Pro 2 hearing health features were tested by CNBC, including the hearing test, hearing protection, and hearing aid capabilities.
• The software update next week will make the features easy to use and set up from home.
• Apple initially unveiled its hearing health features at an event in September.

I tried out the new hearing health features on 's AirPods Pro 2 earbuds and averted a long-awaited visit to the audiologist.

Apple has announced that the features of the AirPods Pro 2, including a clinically validated hearing test and new hearing protection capabilities, will be publicly available through a free software update next week.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 1.5 billion people suffer from hearing loss. Utilizing this market could boost sales of Apple's $249 AirPods Pro 2, which was introduced two years ago.

If you already own headphones, it's worth considering the hearing health features. Setting them up only takes a few minutes and they're easy to use from the comfort of your home. The AirPods Pro 2 are a cost-effective option for those seeking assistive hearing technology. In contrast, other over-the-counter hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars without insurance.

Taking the hearing test

I use my third-generation AirPods daily, but today was my first time trying the AirPods Pro 2. I took them out of the box, opened the charging case lid, and paired them with my iPhone. Then, I put them in my ears and was ready to take Apple's hearing test.

In September, Apple announced that 80% of U.S. adults have not had their hearing checked in the past five years. This is also true for me as the last time I got my hearing tested was in elementary school.

Beforehand, I felt a bit anxious because I hadn't taken any measures to safeguard my hearing, so I wasn't certain what the outcome would be.

You can access the test by going into the Health app or the earbuds' settings menu. I pulled it up and was prompted with a few basic questions about my age, health, and exposure to loud environments in the past 24 hours.

To ensure a suitable environment for the test, Apple runs a background noise test and assesses the fit of your headphones within your ears. The AirPods Pro 2 come with medium-sized flexible ear tips attached, but there are extra small, small and large tip sizes included in the box. If you've misplaced your ear tips, Apple sells a set on its website for about $13.

I read the test's instructions and then it was time to get started in my apartment without needing to adjust the fit of the headphones.

A hearing test involves listening to various tones at varying volumes and frequencies, and tapping the screen when you hear a sound. The test began with my left ear and progressed to my right, taking approximately five minutes to complete.

The hearing test was easy, but the long pauses between tones made me second-guess myself occasionally. Apple isn't kidding about finding a quiet space to take this test. Some of the tones were so soft that I practically had to hold my breath to hear them. My test also automatically paused a few times as traffic passed by outside, so I'd recommend finding a room that's as close to silent as possible.

Your test results are stored in the Health app and can be shared with your doctor.

Although there may be some frequencies that are harder for me to hear, I have little to no hearing loss in both ears, which brings me great peace of mind.

Using your headphones as a hearing aid

I was prompted to turn on "Media Assist" because I have minimal hearing loss and it uses my hearing test results to adjust the clarity of my calls, music, and videos based on my specific profile.

I used the AirPods Pro 2 to FaceTime, watch CNBC, and listen to music on Spotify with Media Assist enabled. Although I didn't notice much of a difference in music or TV, I did find that voices were amplified during FaceTime calls. It was a small change, but it proved helpful.

If your hearing test reveals mild to moderate hearing loss, you will be instructed to use your headphones as a clinical-grade hearing aid. In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Apple's hearing aid software.

Your AirPods Pro become a personalized hearing aid after a hearing test, amplifying specific sounds in real time, such as parts of speech or environmental elements, as stated by Dr. Sumbul Desai in a prerecorded video last month.

Although the hearing aid feature is designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, users can still turn it on even if they don't fit into that category. I turned it on while walking around New York City, running errands, watching TV, and chatting with my roommates out of curiosity.

The new hearing protection features of my earbuds instantly amplified the world around me, making it easier for me to hear quiet dialogue on TV and magnify my conversations. Despite the loud sounds of the city, I didn't feel overwhelmed, which I suspect is due to the earbuds' new hearing protection features.

It may take time to get accustomed to using a hearing aid, but you can customize your settings and use the iOS Control Center to make it more comfortable for you.

The Media Assist feature was sufficient for my needs, but it would be fun to use the hearing aid feature in a crowded restaurant in New York City.

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss and are prompted to turn on the hearing aid feature, Media Assist will also be activated. Your AirPods Pro 2 will automatically adjust as you make calls, watch videos, and listen to music across all your Apple devices.

I'm thrilled to share with my family that I'm considering purchasing AirPods Pro 2, despite not being the ideal candidate for hearing aids. The fact that these headphones resemble any other Apple headphones makes them less noticeable than many existing hearing aids, which may be a plus for many users.