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

Hearing test keeps stopping stating it is unable to classify due to background noise. The only noise is me breathing! I've tried four times now and can't get through one ear without the test stopping at 75% finished.


[Re-Titled By Moderator]

iPhone 15 Plus, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 28, 2024 10:18 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 29, 2024 10:11 AM

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.

130 replies

Nov 18, 2024 11:08 AM in response to WL49

My wife and I have identical iphone 14’s. My airpod pro 2 are made China and hers are made in Vietnam. My iphone and airpods complete the hearing test every time, no errors. I tried her phone and airpods, and the test failed 2 out of 3 times that I took it. All firmware on all devices match. Could there be a difference between China and Vietnam builds?

Nov 3, 2024 2:51 AM in response to WL49

I bought AirPod Pro 2’s because I was so stoked over the Hearing feature they announced

However, I could not get the Hearing Test to complete

I repeatedly got the dreaded ‘Unable to Classify’ message no matter how careful I was to take the test in a noiseless environment

I was about to throw in the towel after many attempts when something popped into my head

In the past I had run into issues when recording guitar into my DAW

I kept getting noise on the tracks and I couldn’t figure out why

It turned out that the source of the humming sound was the dimmer switch for my room lighting

A dimmer switch can cause RFI on the electrical wiring which can result in noise on electrical devices such as radios and amplifiers etc.

Remembering this, I turned off the dimmer switch and took the test again (in the dark)

It worked, my test completed on the first pass

Try killing any dimmer switches you have anywhere in your living quarters

and see if this works for you

It’s possible the AirPods were being affected by the dimmer RFI noise, and that was the issue all along

Good luck

I can say without reservation, the AirPods are fantastic for moderate hearing loss

Highly recommended :)

Nov 3, 2024 6:58 AM in response to WL49

Like many of you, I had this same problem. Here’s how I solved it:


I took the test early in the morning, in my parked car, in the garage with the car and garage doors shut (engine off, of course). After getting in the car, I then put on a pair of shooting ear protection over the AirPods (large over-the-ear headphones would probably also work) — you have to be careful not to bump the stem on the AirPod when putting them on or you’ll get an “AirPod not properly seated” message after the preliminary test.


Then get yourself as comfortable as possible, with your phone and right hand resting on something, and your index finger poised just above the screen. Try not to move *at all* during the test (except your finger).


Doing it that way got me results on the first try.

Nov 14, 2024 5:34 AM in response to WL49

Do not buy the airpod pro 2 with the intention of hearing assistance. Like many other users, I have taken the hearing test now 11 times (with apple confirmed fit and environmental silence level) with the same answer: "unable to classify". Apple support is wholly unable to help and just a waste of time. Thoroughly disgusted and wish I had not wasted my money.

Nov 14, 2024 8:57 AM in response to WL49

This is very disappointing as I too got these thinking I could use hearing assist. I have latest firmware 7b21 and still get unable to classify in soundproof room. Granted my left ear doesn’t work so well but right ear does. I complete test then I get unable to classify due to background noise, there is none! Have tried at least 5 or 6 times..

Nov 2, 2024 5:59 PM in response to WL49

OK, this is an update to my earlier post. I tried 3 more times trying my iPhone 13, in a silent room (23-27db) and wearing my firing range ear muffs. Each attempt failed just like previous attempts. I then tried to take the test using my iPad Pro, ear muffs and the same room. The second attempt using the iPad was successful and why it was successful the last time I haven't a clue. The system will now allow me to use the hearing aid function and I do find it useful as this test (along with a previous test performed by an audiologist) showed my hearing in my left ear is weak. Anyway, good luck with your attempts. Surely apple will improve the software.

Nov 4, 2024 9:51 AM in response to BillyBilly51

Went to Apple support. Chatted with a representative. They said I needed to have the AirPods tested by a technician. Went to Genius bar. The technician ran a sound test on my AirPods. He could not complete the test because one of the noise cancellation features was not available to turn off. Airpods still under warranty. Waiting for replacements that should be in this week.

Nov 5, 2024 11:46 AM in response to WL49

I had the same problem. Multiple “unable to classify because of background noise” fails on left ear. Saw a previous post about using over the ear headphones and remembered I had some ear protectors that I wear when I mow the lawn. Put them on over my AirPods and went all the way through both ear tests first try. So, for another $10 or so at Home Depot/Lowes, this might work for you too.


My AirPods as hearing aids seem to work better for hearing the TV than my expensive hearing aids do. The charge won’t last as long but then I don’t spend that much time watching TV so it’s not a big deal.

Nov 7, 2024 4:34 PM in response to WL49

Ok, so, I bought the AirPods specifically for the hearing aid function and spent all day yesterday trying to get the hearing test to work. Half way through the day I found out you have to upgrade the iOS. Still couldn’t get past the first ear! Totally silent area, so it’s not background noise.

Today I drive to the Apple Store and paid about $900 for a new iPad and keyboard. Loaded it all up and no hearing test available. Finally, after upgrading the iOS I got the test. And it WORKED! And now I can hear everything around me. Glad I’m retired and can spend 2 full days on this! Let’s go Apple, please fix the bug in iPhone!

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

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