Accessibility features for hearing on iPad
iPad comes with built-in tools designed to help you hear better—or stay connected without hearing a sound.
To explore accessibility features for hearing, go to Settings > Accessibility, then scroll down to the Hearing section.
Use alternatives to sound
![]() Get real-time captions of spoken audio With Live Captions, get a transcription of the audio from any app and from live conversations around you. | ![]() Customize subtitles and captions Change how subtitles look. Or instead of standard subtitles, use closed captions and SDH when available. |
![]() Blink the iPad light for notifications If you can’t hear your alerts, get notified visually. | ![]() Get notified about sounds around you With Sound Recognition, have iPad listen for sounds—such as a doorbell or siren—and alert you when it recognizes them. |
![]() Type to Siri Type your Siri requests instead of speaking them. | ![]() Make Real-Time Text (RTT) calls Type to communicate on calls. The person you’re talking to sees your message as you type it. |
You can also get transcriptions of audio messages, HomePod Intercom messages, and podcasts.
Use hearing devices and make audio adjustments
![]() Hearing devices Pair Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids or sound processors with iPad and adjust their settings. | ![]() Live Listen Stream sound from the iPad microphone to your MFi hearing devices or AirPods. |
![]() Audio balance Play stereo audio as mono, adjust left-right stereo balance, and more. | ![]() AirPods Set accessibility options for AirPods and other Apple headphones paired with your iPad. |
![]() Background sounds Have your iPad play ambient sounds—such as ocean waves or rain—to help you focus or rest. |
You can also have Siri announce notifications and calls on your MFi hearing devices.
Tip: Control your go-to accessibility features and settings with the click of a button or from Control Center. See Quickly open features with Accessibility Shortcut.