Health Canada has officially approved Apple's hearing aid and hearing test features for AirPods Pro 2, paving the way for their upcoming launch in the Canadian market.
The hearing aid capability enables AirPods Pro 2 to function as an assistive listening device by amplifying ambient sounds. This feature targets adults experiencing mild to moderate hearing difficulties and will be available at no additional cost through software updates.
The approved package also includes a five-minute hearing assessment tool. This test evaluates users' ability to detect various sound frequencies and provides a hearing loss classification along with recommended actions based on the results.
These hearing health features made their initial debut in the United States and select markets in October 2023. The recent iOS 18.2 update expanded availability to several European countries and the UAE.
Canadian users can expect access to these new capabilities through upcoming software releases - potentially with iOS 18.3 in January or iOS 18.4 in April 2024. To utilize these features, AirPods Pro 2 must run on firmware version 7B19 or newer, which installs automatically when the devices are charging and within Bluetooth range of a Wi-Fi-connected Apple device.
The AirPods Pro 2 already offers hearing protection functionality in Canada, which helps monitor and limit exposure to loud sounds. This existing feature complements the newly approved hearing health capabilities.
This regulatory approval marks a notable expansion of Apple's hearing health technology in Canada, offering users an accessible option for hearing assistance through their existing AirPods Pro 2 devices.