Yes, but only under certain conditions. In the Netherlands, AirPods Pro 3 have a hearing protection feature that Apple says meets EN 352 when you turn on EN 352 Protection. This only works with a charged battery and a good fit, and not for loud bangs. Older AirPods and noise cancellation on its own are not hearing protection.
Many people already carry their AirPods Pro with them. So it makes sense to ask whether they can also work as earplugs against noise. In this article we set out what Apple itself writes about this, what does and does not count as personal protective equipment, and when a custom earplug is a better fit. We are honest about it, because in a number of situations AirPods Pro are perfectly fine.
If you choose custom earplugs, a partner hearing care professional takes the impressions of your ears. The ear impressions are included in the price and you pay at the hearing centre.
What Apple says about hearing protection
Apple's Dutch support page (published 18 September 2026) states that AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 have a Hearing Protection feature that reduces your exposure to loud sounds around you. According to Apple, this works in the different listening modes, in environments up to 110 dBA.
Apple also names clear limits. According to Apple, the feature is not suitable for extremely loud impulse sounds, such as gunshots, fireworks or jackhammers, and not for continuous sound above 110 dBA. Apple also writes that the feature is not suitable for all workplaces and that you should check with your employer first.
AirPods Pro 3 with EN 352 Protection
Only on AirPods Pro 3 can you turn on EN 352 Protection in the settings. This setting limits the volume of music and video to 82 dBA. Apple's data sheet (September 2025) states that the Hearing Protection feature on AirPods Pro 3 complies with the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and with several parts of EN 352, with PZT GmbH as the notified body. Whether the setting is available depends on your country. Apple's availability overview lists the Netherlands for AirPods Pro 3.
AirPods Pro 2 in the Netherlands
For AirPods Pro 2, the Netherlands is not in that overview (checked on 4 October 2026). The noise cancellation still works, of course, but in the Netherlands that does not make AirPods Pro 2 certified hearing protection.
Noise cancellation is not the same as hearing protection
Active noise cancellation is made for listening to music more quietly. Things getting quieter does not mean the earbud has been tested as personal protective equipment. For that, a product must comply with the PPE Regulation, with a CE marking and the number of a notified body. For earplugs, this usually happens through the EN 352 series of standards. What those codes mean is explained in what PPE-3 and EN 352 mean.
Do you have earbuds from another brand with noise cancellation? Then check the manual to see whether the manufacturer mentions EN 352. If it does not, assume they are not hearing protection.
How much do AirPods Pro 3 reduce noise according to Apple?
Apple publishes an SNR for each listening mode, the average attenuation in decibels. These are the values from the data sheet.
| Situation | SNR according to Apple |
|---|---|
| Transparency | 14 dB |
| Adaptive Audio, default setting | 26 dB |
| Noise Cancellation | 29 dB |
| Battery empty or listening mode Off (passive only) | 20 dB on average |
Apple stresses that the attenuation depends on a good fit with the right ear tips, and recommends the Acoustic Seal Test. For comparison, our earplugs for music have an SNR of 16 dB and the earplugs for construction 26 dB with the DI filter. More attenuation is not always better. Read more about this under overprotection.
Battery, fit and music
- Battery. According to Apple, your AirPods must be charged to use the feature. With noise cancellation you get up to 8 hours on one charge, and the protection can decrease as the battery runs down. At 10 percent you hear a warning tone.
- Fit. AirPods Pro 3 come with ear tips in sizes XXS to L. A custom earplug is made from an ear impression of your own ear.
- Music. Apple itself writes that you may hear warning signals at a workplace less well if you are listening to music.
- Care. A custom earplug needs no power. You clean it and, if needed, replace the interchangeable filter.
AirPods Pro at work
At work, the rules of the Dutch Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit) apply. From 80 dB(A), your employer must offer hearing protection, and from 85 dB(A) you must wear it. Your employer chooses what is suitable for your workplace. How this works is explained in what the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) says about hearing protection and under exposure action value.
Even with EN 352 Protection, there are practical points. A shift often lasts longer than one battery charge. Construction regularly involves impulse noise, and according to Apple, AirPods are not meant for that. In the food industry, anything that could fall into the product often has to be detectable. So always discuss it with your employer or prevention officer (preventiemedewerker).
Audibling custom earplugs are PPE-3 hearing protection, compliant with EN 352, with certified filters. For construction and production we use the DI filter, and for shooting and fireworks the DIM filter for impulse noise. For companies with 10 or more people, we take ear impressions on site.
When AirPods Pro are perfectly fine
Do you already have AirPods Pro 3? Then, with Hearing Protection turned on, they are a good choice in many everyday situations. Think of the train or metro, the plane, mowing the lawn or a concert you go to now and then. You have them with you anyway, and you can simply use them for music in between. Just make sure you charge them beforehand.
When custom earplugs are a better fit
| What matters | AirPods Pro 3 | Custom earplug |
|---|---|---|
| Needs power | Yes, up to 8 hours with noise cancellation | No |
| Fit | Ear tips in five sizes | Made to fit your ear |
| Bangs and impulse noise | Not suitable according to Apple | DIM filter |
| Making or listening to music without a muffled sound | Depends on the mode | Flat attenuating DM filter |
| Personalising | No | Colour, logo or jewel |
If you spend long hours in noise every day, make music yourself or go hunting, custom earplugs with the right filter are usually more practical. Also read hearing protection for musicians, hearing protection against impulse noise and custom earplugs or universal earplugs. You will find all models in the custom earplugs collection. In the Designlab you put together your own set, and via book an appointment you find a hearing centre.
Frequently asked questions
Are AirPods Pro 3 officially hearing protection?
According to Apple, the Hearing Protection feature on AirPods Pro 3 meets EN 352 when EN 352 Protection is on, the battery is charged and the fit is good. Without those conditions, it does not.
Can I wear AirPods Pro at work?
That is up to your employer, who chooses the hearing protection based on the risks at your workplace. Apple itself says the feature is not suitable for all workplaces.
Do AirPods Pro protect against fireworks?
No. Apple explicitly names fireworks, gunshots and jackhammers as sounds the feature is not suitable for. For loud bangs, look at the earplugs for fireworks.
What happens when the battery runs out?
Then the active hearing protection is off and the ear tips only reduce noise passively. Apple gives an average SNR of about 20 dB for this, with a good fit.
Sources
- Apple Support, Gehoorbescherming gebruiken met je AirPods Pro 2 of AirPods Pro 3 (using Hearing Protection with AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3, published 18 September 2026, in Dutch)
- Apple, EN 352 Protection Hearing Protection Data Sheet AirPods Pro 3 (September 2025, PDF)
- Apple, Hearing Health Feature Availability (accessed 4 October 2026)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment (EUR-Lex, Dutch version)
- Arbeidsomstandighedenbesluit (Working Conditions Decree), chapter 6, section 3 on noise (wetten.overheid.nl, in Dutch)
- Arboportaal, Gehoorbescherming (hearing protection, in Dutch)
Last updated 4 October 2026
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