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

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 problem as everyone else. Is Apple going to address this? Also, every thing previously indicated this would work with a free downloadable program. I assumed this meant an app, but apparently not. I did upgrade to 18.1 and that is all there is. I would prefer an app for the hearing aids.

I also experienced repeated failures over the past few days until I discovered this article,

After enabling the headphones accommodation as explained in item 4 of this article my test completed successfully. In full disclosure, I also shut down and restarted my iPhone before the test. I hope this helps others.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Thanks for the link to the Product Feedback site. I've reported the issue. After nearly a dozen attempts to take the hearing test on my AirPod Pro 2's, and always getting the "Unable to classify due to background noise", no matter how quite the setting, I've given up. Has to be a bug in the firmware. If enough of us complain, maybe it will speed up the release of a new version and fix.

Yep - firmware upgraded - 7B21. I jumped on the update and then tried the hearing test. No change for me, failing the same as previous attempts. Maybe, the 18.2 OS update will make a difference.

For me, I tested the hearing test by randomly poking responses, whether I heard a tone or not. And, the test successfully completed, no issues. It seems clear that, at some level, the testing system itself is the problem.

Like many others, I decided to purchase the new Airpods Pro 2 for the ability to use them as hearing aids. I am hearing impaired and have a set of $3,500 hearing aids. I do not expect to replace them with Airpods at this point but I wanted to use them when I was wearing them as such. I have been unable to complete the test. I have tried at least 5 times and cant complete the first ear. I have followed all of the directions but no luck. So far using my Airpods as hearing aids is a total bomb. Looking forward to a fix.

I just received my AirPods Pro 2 yesterday 11/16/24 and was excited to try them. I have confirmed mild hearing loss thru doctor. I have iPhone 15 Pro with latest OS18.1 and I iPad 10th generation. Hearing test fails on both devices with Unable to Classify message....have tried at least 10 times. Firmware on pods is version 7B21, the latest.

I have done restarts, made sure OS is up to date. I have tried a variety of quiet areas including garage inside car, the closet, my basement....fail, fail fail, "unable to classify". Do I return, please Fix. Have read through the thread as well and tried suggestions. Help..want them to work

Same here. I’ve tried multiple rooms that were very quiet, I’ve tried a dozen times and always the same “unable to classify…” I purchased the AirPod Pro 2 specifically for the ability to classify and then help correct my hearing loss which has been diagnosed as “mild to moderate” by previous testing.

I have tried all suggestions, even those on the MacObserver, as suggested. To date, there's no difference for me - 'Unable to Classify'. Assuming it's not an AirPods hardware issue, I think the failures may be related to degree of hearing loss in various frequencies, particularly the low frequencies. Plus, I have tinnitus which may also be a contributing factor.

Again, I did have ONE successful test when I randomly pressed the tone response button, even if I heard nothing.

I will wait for the iOS 18.2 update and try one more time. If that does not solve the issue, I will return the AirPods for replacement.