Apple has received approval from Health Canada to introduce hearing aid and hearing test features for the AirPods Pro 2. This means the features might launch in Canada soon, reports MacRumors.
The hearing aid feature is designed to amplify sounds for adults with mild hearing loss.
The hearing test feature takes roughly five minutes and helps users identify hearing loss by analyzing their ability to hear various sound frequencies and then tells suggested next steps.
These features first launched in the U.S. and some other countries in October. Recent iOS updates expanded the hearing test to more countries in Europe, while the hearing aid and test features were also introduced in the UAE.
AirPods Pro 2 already include a hearing protection feature in Canada, which monitors and limits exposure to loud sounds.
To access the new hearing features, users will need firmware version 7B19 or newer. Updates are installed automatically when the AirPods are charging and within Bluetooth range of an Apple device connected to Wi-Fi.
When will the Hearing Aid and Hearing Test features actually launch in Canada, though? It could be coming in iOS 18.3 in January or iOS 18.4 in April. This is great news for Canadians who want to be able to use their AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids.
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I can’t believe this was approved in Canada and so fast! 👌🎉
Not much use if it's NOT implemented. Currently does NOT function. No hearing test etc.
So fast??? There is over 100 country that already have this feature enabled…
As a hearing clinician I’m thrilled! Some people coming in to me worried about hearing others don’t really need hearing aids as their loss and issues are for some circumstances only. Even the lowest-priced aids are too high for a lot of people in that category (mild loss who only need them occasionally). So AirPods Pro with the hearing aid feature fills that gap for the people with mild hearing loss. (Not meant as professional advice – see your clinician for advice.)
Vapourware for now. No timeline mentioned anywhere.