Ian WilliamsonJan 9, 2025
@caseyliss Your point about AirPod noises reminded me of a related noise I’ve been meaning to investigate on my AirPods Pro 2, recorded here when I put one AirPod back in the case with the other. You can hear the sad charging noise (overlaid with the case closing snap) but ~15 secs later you can also hear what appears to be a diagnostics sound coming from the AirPods inside the case. It was driving me mad for a while as I kept hearing this sound but couldn’t figure out where it was coming from.
Show threadIan WilliamsonJan 9, 2025

@caseyliss And that mystery solved; that was quick!

“To help ensure that your AirPods microphones and speakers are operating at their best (for example, to help provide high-quality hearing test results), your AirPods may periodically play a quiet chime when they’re in their charging case.”

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/airpods/devd9aac5b42/web

Use hearing health features with AirPods Pro 2

Your AirPods Pro 2 support your hearing health with Hearing Protection, on by default, and a Hearing Aid feature.

Apple Support
Show threadAlexJan 9, 2025
@tuckerjj @caseyliss I'd still like to know how this chime helps to ensure they are working correctly.
Show threadIan WilliamsonJan 9, 2025
@alexmarsh @caseyliss I would assume it’s doing something similar to the hearing test but with the AirPods themselves, playing a known set of frequencies from low to high and listening to that with the internal microphones to identify issues. There are (at least) two microphones on each AirPod so they should be able to tell if there is a problem with the speakers or one of the microphones.
Show threadAlex

@tuckerjj @caseyliss Sure and that’s a reasonable assumption. But doesn't the case make the sound even when both AirPods are in the case and wouldn't hear the chime.

Either way, I'd prefer not to assume and that Apple explain it. :)

Jan 9, 2025 at 5:36pmIvory for Mac
Show threadIan WilliamsonJan 9, 2025
@alexmarsh @caseyliss The article does say that it’s the AirPods making the sound inside the case, not the case speaker, which makes sense as it’s the AirPod speakers which need to be tested. Further explanation from Apple would be great! But I’m not holding my breath 🙂
Show threadAlexJan 9, 2025
@tuckerjj @caseyliss Ah! Thanks for clarifying that for me.