AirPods: Forced activation of audio modes irritates – but there is a way out
The new hearing aids for the AirPods have apparently prompted Apple to deactivate the off switch for the audio modes. However, it can be reactivated.
(Image: Apple)
Changes to the noise control of the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 have caused irritation among some users. Apple has removed the option to completely switch off the noise control of the wireless earbuds as a new standard. However, there is a way to reactivate it. In many cases, however, the annoyance remains that the setting still changes automatically. There is also a workaround for this, but it is well hidden.
Apple itself states in a support document that the noise control switch can be reactivated via the settings. To do this, the AirPods must be selected there. Scrolling further down, there has been an “Off Listening Mode” setting since iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sonoma 15.1. If this is activated, the off switch is displayed again in the volume control.
Switch off automatic switching
Of course, this is not the end of the story if the automatic switch from off to one of the other modes such as transparency mode or noise-canceling is also to be prevented. According to blogger Spencer Dailey, this happens the first time the AirPods are put back in the ears. The way to switch off this automatic mode is a little more complicated.
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After connecting the AirPods to the iPhone, users have to go to the Accessibility app in the Settings app. There is an “AirPods” submenu further down. The respective device can be selected in this menu. Further down, there is a blue menu item called “Deactivate loud noise reduction”. If this is tapped, automatic switching is switched off.
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Hearing health has top priority
The change to the AirPods is apparently related to the new hearing aids that Apple introduced with iOS 18.1. Removing the off switch and automatically changing the setting is apparently intended to prevent users from inadvertently deactivating the hearing protection function, for example, and in the worst-case suffering hearing damage.
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(mki)
