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

Wow, this is discouraging. I purchased the AirPods specifically for this option and, while I like them a lot for podcasts, etc., it’s a shame that I can’t even get through the hearing test in a completely windowless, soundproof room! I sure hope Apple can address this soon.

Same error - "Unable to Classify" because of background noise. I was in a closet with no noise. Tried 3 times. Left ear completes and right ear almost completes and I get the same error.

Current Firmware 7B19 on AirPods Pro 2. Just updated to iOS 18.1 today. So the software is up to date.

Same....I've taken it maybe 6 times now and keep getting unable to classify. Giving up as there must be a bug or something.

Same i have tried at least 7 or 8 times different rooms with doors shut in back of house cant get through the left ear as it keeps failing because of background noise- this last time is said to clean my airpods pro 2 - did that - same result unable to classify due to background noise- pretty sure it is not the background noise

Tried it 5 times now, 3 in an actual sound booth! Right at the end it gives me the same message. Most likely a bug.

same here, 10 times, in different rooms

I contacted Apple today about this problem. I was transferred two times, eventually getting someone in the Health app support team. First they asked for a screenshot of the error message, so I sent that.

Now they want to gather diagnostic logs from my iPhone, but the link they sent me is not working. They're supposed to call me back Sunday morning to get the diagnostic logs.

They do not monitor these forums, but after being told about the discussion here they said they would "investigate."

I'm guessing the problem is simply in the Health app and that a future update will solve this problem. In the meantime, I would encourage everyone that gets the error to call Apple and report it.

Here either. Took 4 times and the left ear worked. 2 times on the right (and you have to completely start over) and failed. Gave up!

I also was unable to successfully take the test with using my iPhone. I lost count of how many time I tried.

It did, however, work the very first time that I used my IPAD. I am not sure if this was a coincidence. The results do seem to make sense based on my hearing.

I, too have the same issue. It's clearly not anyone's particular AirPods Pro 2. I have reported this to Apple Product Feedback directly, and included a link to this community post so they can see the problem is widespread.

I tried the earmuffs solution - which is a brilliant idea. For me, the extra noise silencing protection did not work. The system still cannot classify the test results. So, I still think it's just a matter of luck if you happen to get your hearing classified. However, I'm also beginning to wonder if the degree of hearing loss is an issue with getting classified. I know I have hearing loss, particularly in the low frequency range. So, for those of us with hearing loss of various types and severity, the classification system may be tripping up.

I will say that, if you didn't have hearing loss before, you very might following multiple rounds of starting the test and listening to the test calibration music.

I'm having the same problem. Tried many times in different quiet locations.

I tried the suggestion above about setting them to "Noise Cancellation" but it didn't help. I tried other combinations of settings, no go.

I called Apple and they said they hadn't heard about this problem. I was told that the only way to let them know about this bug is to report it on their feedback form, here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Same problem, tells me the room is quiet enough to proceed, then won't complete left ear. But I am in a soundproofed recording studio! The noise level can ONLY be my breathing or tapping on the iPhone, and I put IT on a pad to suppress THAT noise. This is the ONLY reason i bought them, and Costco WILL take them back for a few more days. Too bad, the noise suppression is awesome, but not important enough for me to stick them in my ears.

Update: Today (Sunday) I was finally able to finish the hearting test. Briefly, the last few days were like this:

1. Last week, many failed attempts to finish the hearing test, just like everyone here.
2. Friday, I call Apple, end up with someone in the Health app support department. He asked for some info, we get disconnected and he never calls back. Later I get an email "we're trying to get in touch with you..."
3. I call back, get a different rep. She sends me a link to gather logs from my iPhone. I couldn't get the link to work, so we schedule a call back for Sunday morning.
4. Sunday morning, no call. I get an email "we're trying to get in touch with you..." I call in and get a third rep. He wants to send me the link for logs again. We waited 30 minutes for the email then gave up, scheduling another call for Monday. Three hours later, the email arrives.
5. I ran the link for the iPhone logs, and it did something...but I think you have to be on the phone with Support because it ended with a "waiting for support" spinning ball.
6. I reboot my iPhone, ran the hearing test...and it worked!

So, it appears to be the luck of the draw if the hearing test works or not.

I'm not real happy with Apple Support today. It's clear their call back system does not work (yes, I turned off block unknown callers).

I believe all this hearing test drama is due to either buggy software on the iPhone or buggy firmware in the AirPods Pro 2. I'm sure the next iOS update will include the line "...fixes a problem in the Hearing Test."