Wireless earbuds help us listen to music, watch movies, and catch up on podcasts on the go, but there are safety considerations to keep in mind. Any time you're out in public, being aware of your surroundings is imperative. For instance, it might be tempting to turn on active noise cancellation while going for a morning jog, but the opposite is recommended. You want to be able to hear passing cars, emergency sirens, and other important auditory cues to stay safe.
It's not the only safety consideration you should be aware of while using wireless earbuds. Avoiding loud noises is crucial to protecting your hearing health, both from sources within and outside your earbuds. Luckily, many earbud models offer safety features that let you listen to content without worrying about the risks, and the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are no exception.
In fact, Google gave Pixel Buds Pro 2 owners a major update last year that added two key safety features: Adaptive Audio and Loud Noise Protection. Here's everything you need to know about them, and why you should use them while wearing the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in certain situations.
Google gave the Pixel Buds Pro 2 a subtle upgrade
Google Pixel devices are known for their robust software support, which not only includes security patches but also feature additions. That typically extends to Google Pixel earbuds like the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as well, even if there isn't a concrete guarantee to match phones and tablets. The most recent major feature update rolled out last September, complete with additions including Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection, and head gestures.
Adaptive Audio is a fourth noise control mode for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 that joins Off, Noise cancellation, and Transparency. As the name suggests, it's something of a blend between active noise cancellation and transparency mode. The idea is that certain sounds are subdued, but important ambient noise is allowed to pass through so that the wearer maintains awareness of their surroundings.
Google explains that the feature "dynamically adjusts to the environment, decreasing the noise level to make everything a bit quieter and more comfortable." It isn't turned on by default, and instead must be manually activated like the other noise control modes for the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Loud Noise Protection is a similar feature that aims to protect the user's hearing from loud external sounds, particularly when Adaptive or Transparency modes are active. Using these modes allows external noise to pass through to the listener, which can be intrusive or harmful for sudden loud bursts of sound. A passing emergency siren or train horn is an example of a loud sound that could cause discomfort for wearers.
To combat this issue, Loud Noise Protection "instantly dampens sudden loud sounds to help safeguard your hearing," according to Google. Both of these features are now available on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, and they're worth using to stay safe when the buds are in your ears.
Adaptive Audio keeps you aware of your surroundings
Since Adaptive Audio is a relatively new feature, you may encounter a splash screen in the Google Pixel Buds companion app explaining how it works. The graphic details that Adaptive Audio helps you keep "awareness of your surroundings while maintaining a comfortable listening level." You can cycle through the noise cancellation modes with on-earbud controls or in the Pixel Buds app, which includes Adaptive Audio.
Here's how to get started using Adaptive Audio on your Pixel Buds Pro 2:
1. Connect your Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 to your Android phone and install the Pixel Buds app.
2. Open the Pixel Buds app and grant permission for the app to manage your Pixel Buds Pro 2.
3. Tap the Adaptive noise control mode. You may see splash screens explaining the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 features.
If you don't see the Adaptive mode on your Pixel Buds Pro 2, you might need to install a firmware update. Your earbuds should check for and install updates automatically, but you can also try checking manually. To do this, open the Pixel Buds app and navigate to More settings → Firmware update. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to check for and install any available updates.
Loud Noise Protection safeguards your hearing
Loud Noise Protection works in the background and is automatically enabled after your Pixel Buds Pro 2 are updated to the latest version. I wish there were a setting or toggle to confirm the feature is active, but it isn't there in the Pixel Buds app currently. However, there is a dedicated Hearing wellness tab in the Pixel Buds app that sheds some light on your hearing health and headphone audio levels.
Here's how to learn how your volume level is affecting your hearing health in the Pixel Buds app:
1. Open the Pixel Buds app.
2. Tap the Hearing wellness tab.
3. You will see your Current Level and Exposure. The former shows your headphone audio level in decibels in real time, while the latter represents your accumulated listening levels over time.
4. There are also bars demonstrating headphone audio levels for the Last 24 hours and the Last 7 days. These show the percent of your safe headphone audio exposure level you've used in the given timeframe.
5. Finally, you can enable Volume level notifications to receive notifications when you exceed recommended exposure limits.
These two hearing health features give you a better chance at staying healthy. Loud Noise Protection accounts for external noise, while Volume level notifications keep track of the noise you're playing through the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
When to use Pixel Buds Pro 2 hearing protection features
Headphone safety is all too often overlooked, and I'll be honest — I'm guilty of it too. However, being aware of your surroundings and doing what you can to limit hearing damage from loud sounds is really important when wearing earbuds. The best ones, like the Pixel Buds Pro 2, offer safety features that make doing those things easier. If you can, you should use Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection, and Volume level notifications to stay safe while wearing your Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Excellent ANC
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer the best ANC performance of any Google earbuds, and they got a major upgrade with Adaptive Audio support. This feature, along with Loud Noise Protection, helps users stay safely immersed in their audio while being aware of their surroundings.
