In iOS 18.1 the long awaited Air Pods Pro 2 Hearing Test and Hearing Aids feature is (as of 18.1 release date) not available in Canada. When will it be available and is there any specific was as users we can make this happen?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 13 mini, iOS 18
It’s not as if allowing the iOS upgrade in Canada will have any effect on the audiologists own sales because if you couldn’t afford $5000 for a set of prescription Hearing Aids before the iPod Pro iOS 18.1 upgrade you are still not going to go to an audiologist. So let’s see the Canadian gov do the right thing and allow us all to use iPods for hearing tests and improve our hearing ability at the same time.
Agreed. But still not available in Canada. I have tried them in the USA, I was very impressed
I only bought the pods, because i knew the feature was coming out. If i had known it wasn't going to be supported in Canada, i would never have purchased them. It sounds like it may be months / years or never. I wonder if there is a way to return the pods due to them not meeting my needs?
Out of curiosity I set up an appt at Costco to try out a hearing aid there. To my uneducated ear, I could not tell any difference between the professional hearing aid @ ~ $1800/pair and AirPods Pro 2 set up the way that rasg has detailed. Thanks again.
I got same reply from Ontario Minister of Health. I sent this back: “Your reply neatly avoids my question. CASLPO is the problem, not the solution. CASLPO is an advocacy group for audiologists who charge outrageous amounts for hearing aids and related services and are opposed to over-the-counter hearing aids.
The question for the Minister of Health is very simple: Will you approve the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for use as hearing aids in Ontario? The users can install the required firmware upgrade (not yet approved by your Ministry) and calibrate the devices with Apple’s very efficient and user-friendly software. There is no need of oversight by CASLPO or their members.
Please answer the above question in plain language and not bureaucratic boilerplate. “
Typical politician. I’m actually surprised that Apple can’t make more of a push to make this available in Canada. I bought the AirPods Pro 2 with the understanding that the hearing aid function was available. How many people would return the product at that point.
I wrote to Health Canada regarding the hearing aid function and they wrote back that they approved this use and issued licenses to Apple allowing this function mid December 2024. They recommended writing to Health Ontario as they will also have to approve the hearing aid function! I wrote to Health Ontario Feb. 12th and have not received a response as of yet. Why we have duplicate levels of health administration seems like overkill. I’m sure other Provence's have their own health administrations as well, multiple duplications!!! Makes you wonder why health care is so expensive!
If they have in fact been approved by Health Canada, why do we now have to get approval from our provincial health departments? I’ve sent an email to Saskatchewan Health where I live as ell I have sent a story idea to CBC Marketplace and got a request for more information, so I’m hoping they will do a story about the bureaucracy we deal with on what should be a simple approval in Canada.
If Apple required that the user agree to some terms before using the hearing aid function would this eliminate the audiologists as a roadblock? This could include a phrase such as " user agrees that this device is not intended to replace proper health care such as annual physical examinations"
if Apple likes this idea they should feel free to send me a new iPhone 17 be they are also too expensive for seniors.
If you travel to the states with your AirPods the feature enables right away…..and they still work when you get back!
im thinking an update might wipe it out so I’m avoiding this update. The hearing function is awesome.
Federal and provincial Ministers start their days by reviewing Press/Media stories relevant to their areas of responsibility. For example, strong editorials on this regulatory nonsense could turn things around. Market Place would be good but may take ages. Legal action would be great but costly unless done pro bono; would be a great test case for Law School students to work on.
@donaldfromottawa
There is no way to download AirPod Pro 2 firmware update containing HA functionality. The HA feature set is enabled by the iOS firmware in your iPhone. It ‘knows’ where you are, and is programmed to not activate HA if you’re in Ottawa (or elsewhere in Canada🇨🇦). However, once activated, the feature set will persist. A quick trip across the border to Massena might suffice. The HA features are active in both my iPhone and iPad following a trip to the US last month.
All this info should be sent to a news agencies. One of their consumer reporters.
I’ve just gone thru the process that @rasg suggested and if you use the mimi app for the hearing test there is a box below the audiogram that asks if you want to integrate into Apple health.
On December 12, 2024, Health Canada approved the hearing aid features of the airpods pro 2. So, now the question is when Apple will actually provide this function in Canada.
nope. still not available. same for 18.3.1
AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aids not available in Canada
