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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 28, 2024 9:10 PM

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.

91 replies

Nov 3, 2024 4:18 AM in response to WL49

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.

Nov 3, 2024 5:15 AM in response to WL49

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.

Nov 3, 2024 2:22 PM in response to WL49

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.

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

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