Conversation Awareness ruins conversations

Question

Level 1

48 points

Conversation Awareness ruins conversations

I have my AirPods set to Adaptive Noise Control with Conversation Awareness on. While it works well if I'm streaming music, it's a complete negative in other scenarios. Toggling it off when I'm not streaming seems to be an unreasonable expectation.

The problem...

With it set as described, if I get into a conversation (no streaming involved), every time I speak, it switches to Transparency after a few words. After I stop speaking, it takes a moment to switch back to Adaptive mode. If others have started speaking in that brief period, their response starts in Transparency, then continues in Adaptive. The sound difference is incredible and extremely distracting. With it switching constantly between the two modes, it's harder to have a conversation than if I didn't have the AirPods. And it discourages me from speaking, in order to fully hear the others better.

It's a self-defeating result. I've turned off Conversation Awareness.

AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

Posted on Jul 9, 2025 3:58 PM

Reply

Answer 1

brbo

Level 8

38,653 points

Jul 10, 2025 9:15 PM in response to James Cook2

If you haven't seen it already:

Apple Support's online article (link below) has some tips on using customizing transparency mode to suit:

Customize headphone audio levels on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"When Transparency mode is turned on, your Headphone Accommodations settings may change how you hear your own voice or increase your environment’s noise level. You might need to adjust these settings to find a setup that's most comfortable for you. You can start from a milder setting by adjusting the Tone or Amplification slider. Then gradually increase to the setting that's most helpful for hearing people’s voices or natural sound around you." (Much more info in the above article:)

Article also says:

"Use Conversation Boost on your AirPods Pro

Conversation Boost focuses your AirPods Pro on the person who's talking in front of you.

This makes it easier to hear when you're talking face to face.

To turn on Conversation Boost:

Check that you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
Put your AirPods Pro in your ears and connect them to your iPhone or iPad.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations.
Make sure Headphone Accommodations is turned on.
Tap Transparency Mode, and turn on Custom Transparency Mode.
Turn on Conversation Boost.

You can also turn on Conversation Boost by tapping the Hearing buttonin Control Centre."

(If needed: You can: Use and customize Control Center on iPhone - Apple Support )

________

Resource: AirPods User Guide - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

brbo

Level 8

38,653 points

Jul 11, 2025 3:54 PM in response to James Cook2

Thank you kindly for your reply, and for sharing your experience with the community

If you wish, you can send feedback to reach those who work behind-the-scenes at Apple: AirPods Feedback: Web-form: Feedback - AirPods - Apple

If you haven't tried it yet: There's a third-party (non-Apple) video online that gives a good overview of the "Live Listen" feature:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sspx7SVHUuU

( Of course, for AirPods Pro 2, there is now the hearing-aid feature available in many countries : Use the Hearing Aid feature on your AirPods Pro 2 - Apple Support )

Reply

Answer 3

James Cook2 Author

Level 1

48 points

Jul 11, 2025 4:57 AM in response to brbo

Thanks for the response, and you're reply is exactly right! Transparency mode changes the way my voice and everything else sounds.

Adaptive mode is most desirable though, and when set to Adaptive, every time I speak, after about three words, it switches to Transparency. After I stop speaking, it takes a moment for it to switch back to Adaptive. That's long enough for someone else to start speaking while it's still in Transparency mode. So in a conversation, it's constantly toggling between the two modes. It's highly distracting, and I find myself speaking less in order to hear more consistently.

That's a flaw in the system, but is apparently limited to having Conversation Awareness enabled. With that turned off, the issue goes away and it stays on Adaptive..

Conversation Boost is a different feature and seems to work well.

Reply

Conversation Awareness ruins conversations

Similar questions