Apple AirPods hearing aid feature now live in several provinces

Apple’s AirPods Pro Hearing Aid feature is finally available in Canada, though it depends on the province you live in.

The Hearing Aid feature is available on the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2 in these provinces:

• Alberta
• B.C.
• New Brunswick
• P.E.I.
• Saskatchewan

To use the feature, you’ll need to access Hearing Test, available nationally, in either the Health app or the AirPods in Settings.

When you start the Hearing Test, it plays a series of tones that you respond to by tapping the screen. There will be animations, tap-back effects, and progress indicators to take you through the 5-minute experience. Following the test, you’ll get a personalized profile with easy-to-understand results and information about your hearing.  And if you have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, you’ll be prompted to set up the Hearing Aid feature.

There’s a quick setup process, and then the Hearing Aid functionality will kick in, and you’ll start hearing better. You can customize the settings as well. Apple says you can use the Hearing Aid feature for up to 10 hours. And the Hearing Test data is stored privately and securely in your Health app.

“Hearing loss can have a real impact on people’s everyday lives. I see patients who find conversations increasingly difficult or exhausting, and over time, that can lead them to pull back from social situations,” said Dr. Vincent Lin, Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

“What’s encouraging about the hearing health features on AirPods Pro is that they give Canadians a more convenient way to check their hearing and take steps toward getting support. Making these tools available on a device people already use can help make hearing care more accessible and less intimidating.”

If you want to use the Hearing Aid feature, you can only be in the provinces above, as it can only be used in provinces where over-the-counter hearing aids are available. Apple is working with the different provinces to receive approval to share the OTC Hearing Aid feature, with the goal of bringing it to the entire country. Ontario announced that it will change the law and will allow for OTC hearing aids, so we’ll likely get the Hearing Aid feature turned on soon.

The Hearing Aid feature uses the H2 chip to boost frequencies so sound is clearer and more vibrant to your ears. The Hearing Aid feature will offer better voice clarity and automatic Conversation Boost with AirPods Pro 3, so communication is louder with real-time adjustments as you continue on your day.

Also, to help with keeping your hearing protected, you can turn on the Hearing Protection feature. This translates sounds in a loud environment and reduces them.

Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection features work with AirPods Pro 2 and later and are compatible with iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 and are intended for people 18 years and older.