Full Breakdown
Apple Introduces Clinical-Grade Hearing Test and Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Features on AirPods Pro in Canada
By Drooid · · How we work
New Hearing Health Features on AirPods Pro
Apple has rolled out two hearing-health tools for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3: a self-administered Hearing Test based on pure-tone audiometry, and an over-the-counter Hearing Aid capability for users with mild to moderate loss. The features work with iPhone iOS 27.2, iPad iPadOS 27.2 or later, and, for the Hearing Aid, also with macOS Sequoia. They are intended for adults 18 years or older and are not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis.
Context and Need
Nearly one in five Canadians report hearing difficulties, according to Statistics Canada. Research links untreated hearing loss to reduced wellbeing, social isolation and higher dementia risk. Apple notes that the Hearing Test takes about five minutes, produces an audiogram and a hearing-level score for each ear, and stores results privately in the Health app for optional sharing with a clinician.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr. Vincent Lin, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, highlighted the everyday impact of hearing loss and praised the convenience of the new tools:
*“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,” — Dr. Vincent Lin, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre*
Apple adds that the Hearing Aid feature is currently available in the provinces where over-the-counter distribution of hearing aids is permitted—Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan—with plans to expand to all provinces. The system creates a personalized hearing profile from the test results and applies dynamic, real-time sound amplification across music, calls, movies and games without manual adjustments.
Feature Details and Availability
The Hearing Aid can also be set up using an audiogram from a hearing-health professional, and it functions on compatible Macs. Apple emphasizes that the tools are for informational and personal use only and advises users with concerns to consult a licensed hearing or medical professional.
Why It Matters
By embedding clinical-grade hearing assessment and assistance in a widely used consumer device, Apple aims to lower barriers to hearing care, making screening and support more accessible and less intimidating for Canadians with mild to moderate hearing loss.