According to the CDC, 48 million people in the US have trouble hearing with one or both of their ears. This doesn't just affect older adults -- the CDC also reports that five in 10 young people listen to their music or other audio too loudly, and 4 in 10 young people are around dangerously loud noises during events like concerts and sports games.To pay closer attention to our hearing health and learn more about what we can do to protect it, we wellness editors decided to take Apple's Hearing Test. This is what we learned and how we aim to do things differently going forward.What is the Apple Hearing Test?In the fall of 2024, Apple announced its clinically validated Hearing Test with its Hearing Aid and Protection features. To turn your AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids, you must first take the Hearing Test based on pure-tone audiometry.To take Apple's Hearing Test, you need the AirPods Pro 2 and a compatible iPhone or iPad. The test takes about 5 minutes to complete. First, connect your AirPods Pro 2 to your iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings, click on your AirPods and under Hearing Health, click Take a Hearing Test.Anna's experience: I had no issues the first time I took the test. The second time, however, before I could take the test, I was asked to adjust my AirPods or use different Ear Tips. I kept moving them around in my ear and eventually went into my bathroom and shut the door for complete quiet. Then, it worked.I found the test simple and straightforward, but it was hard for me to concentrate solely on the tones I was hearing. I ended up having to close my eyes to focus (and so I wouldn't get distracted by the sound of my own blinking). Even though my bathroom is the quietest place in my apartment, I could still hear some outside noises, so if you do take the test, I would recommend doing so in the quietest environment possible. Anna Gragert/CNETI also like that the results are saved in the Health app so you can look back at them. There, you can also find information about environmental sound levels, headphone audio levels, noise and headphone notifications and articles on hearing.Nasha's experience: I also found the hearing test process easy to follow, with clear instructions guiding me through each step. One of the biggest challenges I encountered (similar to Anna) was finding a truly quiet environment. I attempted to do the test at my office, and despite it being a relatively calm space, the app repeatedly prompted me to move somewhere quieter. I think this highlights a potential limitation as many people may struggle to find a place that meets the app's noise-level requirements, especially in workplaces or busy households.Once I found a moment of quiet, I could focus on the test itself. A few moments into the test, I realized I needed to close my eyes to concentrate on the sounds. The test involves listening for faint beeps at different frequencies, and while there were times I was sure I heard them, there were also moments of doubt. Was that a beep, or just my mind playing tricks on me? This experience underscored how subjective hearing perception can be.Overall, Apple's hearing test is a useful tool for raising awareness about hearing health, but the need for a silent environment could be a barrier for some people. It's a good reminder that while at-home screenings are helpful, they're not a replacement for professional hearing evaluations.What we learnedAccording to Apple, "Hearing test results (audiograms) are the result of an audiometry test and show your hearing ability at different frequencies of sound measured in decibels (dBHL). The higher the decibels, the louder a sound needs to be for you to hear it."The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association states, "Decibels, or dB, describe loudness. The term dB HL describes your hearing loss in decibels."With Apple's Hearing Test, the average hearing for both the right and left ears is based on the four frequencies most important for speech: 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz. Anna's results: Lately, I've been concerned about my hearing, so I was pleasantly surprised that Apple's Hearing Test indicated that I have "little to no hearing loss." It specifically revealed that my left ear is 3 dBHL while my right ear is 5 dBHL. When I took the test a second time, my left ear was 2 dBHL and my right ear was 4 dBHL. Anna Gragert/CNETIn other words, the degree of hearing loss in my right ear is greater than that in my left ear. I always thought my hearing was worse in my left ear, especially because I tend to have more sinus issues on my left side, so this was interesting.It was cool to be able to get this information right on my phone instead of having to take the time (and money) to do so in an audiologist's office. Though Hampden Hearing Center states that most insurance plans will cover a hearing test if it's medically necessary, it depends. I also wouldn't classify my curiosity about my hearing as medically necessary.Nasha's results: My hearing test results showed that I have little to no hearing loss, which was reassuring. The results of the first test I took said my left ear is 3 dBHL and my right ear is 5 dBHL (same as Anna!). I took the test a second time because the first time I was at my office and there was a little noise from the air conditioner. The second time around, my results were even better than the first (this time, I took it in a quiet room in my home) -- my left ear is -6 dBHL and my right ear is 3 dBHL. Nasha Addarich Martnez/CNET Nasha Addarich Martnez/CNETGiven that I live in New York, where noise pollution is a constant factor -- whether it's noise from the subway, construction sites or traffic -- it's something I've become more aware of recently. This test was a good reminder of how important it is to be proactive about your hearing health.One key takeaway for me is that while my hearing is currently in good shape, long-term exposure to high decibel levels could change that. I've learned that everyday city sounds can contribute to gradual hearing damage. Since taking Apple's Hearing Test, I now carry my Loop earplugs with me at all times to wear on the train or when I'm in noisy environments. How we will take care of our hearing health going forwardAfter you're done taking your hearing test, you can read articles about how to protect your hearing and why it's important. In general, that's one of the great things about Apple's hearing features -- they remind you of how important hearing health is and that you should focus on protecting it.Being conscious around loud noisesIf you're around loud noises, such as at a concert or in a restaurant with blaring music, make sure you give your ears a break afterward. Or, wear earplugs. The same goes for listening to music through your headphones. Now, whenever I'm listening to music, I ask myself: Does it need to be this loud?Take hearing loss seriouslyLong-term exposure to loud sounds can lead to permanent hearing loss. If I'm ever concerned about this to the point where it feels medically necessary, I will consult an audiologist. This is also important because I would also want to make sure that no other medical conditions are at play.Be aware of other things that can cause hearing lossLoud noises aren't the only things that can cause hearing loss. Infections, head trauma, high blood pressure, diabetes and dental problems are just a few of the unexpected conditions that can lead to hearing loss.