AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Test fails with "Unable to classify due to background noise" error.

Based on what metric? There’s no numbers to compare. Historically however those with issues are the most verbose, willing to take the time to say something. Seeing how this thread isn’t already 30 pages in a few days I’d say we aren’t even in a worthwhile fractional minority.

I bought the new AirPods today specifically for the hearing test, but it fails repeatedly after right ear due to background noise. But there is no background noise… is this a bug? Tried 4 times. I may send them back if it fails again tomorrow…

After several attempts, I turned on noisecanceling (most right option called). Pressed the AirPods more firmly in my ears and the test completed without errors.

The only weird thing is that the test result says: little to no loss. But I had tests in the hospital telling me otherwise :)

Here's an update from several previous posts.

On a hunch, since I think the classify fail issue is related to specific frequency tones being sounded but not responded to, I did another test in which I randomly and regularly pressed the response button, whether I heard a tone or not. And, for the first time in maybe 15 attempts, the left ear passed classification. I stopped the test since it was totally bogus. I then did another test the regular way. It failed as usual.

I'm curious. If you still are having hearing test failures, try my test of the test method. Start it and then press the button randomly and regularly, whether you hear tones or not. Please post your result. And, of course, stop the test of the test and reset, since it is not correct.

Having same problem as others. Multiple attempts with brand new AirPods Pro 2 in perfectly quiet room results in "unable to classify" message. Got through left ear once, but right ear didn't make it. Further attempts not working with left ear either. Something definitely off with the test, at least for me. Good to know I'm not alone in not being able to complete the test. Don't have an iPad, so can't try that (potential) solution. And using ear muffs shouldn't be the necessary fix. Ah well . . . definitely enough complaints here to suggest it isn't "user error." With luck, Apple will find a fix.

Seems like largely a guessing game at this point. I tried inside my car inside my garage with the car and everything else off without any success. Also tried inside another room that has zero electronics and as quiet as possible, and it still didn’t work.

Update to my previous post (see below):

I tried the hearing test again on my iPhone 12 Pro using my over-ear aviation headset with gel ear seals covering the ears with the airpods pro - and it worked!

previous post:

Same problem with me - "Unable to Classify" because of background noise. I tried the hearing test on my iPhone 12 Pro with iOS 18.1 more than 15 times, but always failed during the test for the left ear, the test canceled after about 60-80 %. I also tried on an iPhone 12 mini with iOS 18.1 and the hearing test worked 3 out of 6 times. I did the tests in a very quiet room, there was absolutely no noise. I took the data from the successful tests on the iPhone 12 mini and transferred them manually to the Health app on my iPhone 12 Pro so the AirPods can now use that audiogram for adjustments.

Exactly the same with me. Just bought them at Costco and first had to figure out that I had to update the IOS to 18. Now I’ve spent over an hour trying to get the hearing test completed and can’t get past the left ear. I’m in a totally quiet environment. The hearing benefit is the only reason I bought these. They will be returned tomorrow if there isn’t a solution.

Same here. I moved about the house to quieter and quieter rooms until I wound up in a closet with clothes all around me. After 6 tries total, I gave up for today…

Same issue. Test completed several times and then receive that message. Very quiet area of our home. Latest updates on iPhone and AirPods Pro 2….

Ok here’s what I did!!! Changed the air pod setting to noise cancelation from transparency and the test worked the first time after that!!!!!

Same exact problem. Left ear completes, right shows "unable to classify".

Got it to work finally. Apparently the bathroom is the only place in the house quiet enough

Following up here….i tried a suggestion from this thread to turn on noise canceling and it wired after that. Not sure if that is the solution, could be just luck.

Just fyi, I turned on noise cancellation. I also pushed in each AirPod Pro in the ear that was measuring to get the best seal. Finished without issues.