Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts and AirPods Hearing Aid Feature Expand to More Countries

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster


Apple today said Hearing Aid features are now available for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in Italy, Romania, and Czechia, while Hypertension alerts have expanded to Israel.

AirPods-Hearing-Aid-Thumb-1.jpg

The Hearing Aid option allows the AirPods Pro to be used as an over-the-counter alternative to a traditional set of hearing aids. The AirPods Pro can improve sound to mitigate mild to moderate hearing loss, adjusting voices and sounds around the user to improve hearing. It can also set music, videos, and phone calls to optimal sound levels using a personalized hearing profile created after taking a Hearing Test.

Loud Sound Reduction also prevents hearing damage from loud ambient noise by cutting down on high-decibel sound when using Transparency and Adaptive modes.

Hearing Aid capabilities are available with the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 when paired with a device running iOS 26/iPadOS 26 or later.

In Israel, users will be able to get an alert if the Apple Watch detects signs of chronic high blood pressure. Alerts use data collected from the heart rate sensor over a 30-day period.
Hypertension alerts are available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.

Article Link: Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts and AirPods Hearing Aid Feature Expand to More Countries
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/12/apple-health-features-more-countries/
  • Like
  • Wow
  • Love
Reactions: Z-4195, mlayer, yuvaldv1 and 1 other person
It is still incredibly annoying that… "As of May 2026, the clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 and 3 is not officially activated in Canada due to provincial regulations on over-the-counter (OTC) devices, though Health Canada approved the technology in late 2024" - is this ever going to be activated in Canada? - this seems so highly unusual, and is so frustrating for so many people.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: centauratlas
I have AirPods which are bluetooth earbuds but can act as hearing aids. I also have hearing aids that can act as bluetooth ear buds. Each are great at their primary function, but are only adequate at best at the secondary function.
It's useful that I can switch my AirPods into hearing aid mode when I'm listening to audio and need to speak to someone, but they can't replace dedicated hearing aids.
 
robprins said:
It is still incredibly annoying that… "As of May 2026, the clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 and 3 is not officially activated in Canada due to provincial regulations on over-the-counter (OTC) devices, though Health Canada approved the technology in late 2024" - is this ever going to be activated in Canada? - this seems so highly unusual, and is so frustrating for so many people.
Click to expand...

Depending on where you are in the country the feature can be activated. I was in the states in January 2025 and it unlocked for me. Since then I have done all iOS updates, replaced my phone and AirPods and still have them working. Other users have said just being along or near the border was enough to activate it. For the record I am in ns.

I agree though that people shouldn’t have to go to these measures to get them working.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7297.jpeg
    IMG_7297.jpeg
    303.6 KB · Views: 96
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: robprins
robprins said:
It is still incredibly annoying that… "As of May 2026, the clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 and 3 is not officially activated in Canada due to provincial regulations on over-the-counter (OTC) devices, though Health Canada approved the technology in late 2024" - is this ever going to be activated in Canada? - this seems so highly unusual, and is so frustrating for so many people.
Click to expand...
It may be coming soon to Ontario. The Provincial Government announced a 30-day consultation on April 28, 2026. Individuals, industry partners, health organizations and others will be invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes through Ontario’s Regulatory Registry.

Following the consultation period, the government will consider feedback received through the consultation before making any future policy and regulatory decisions.

SOURCE:
news.ontario.ca

Ontario Supporting Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids | Ontario Newsroom

Ontario Supporting Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids | Ontario Newsroom
news.ontario.ca news.ontario.ca
 
  • Like
Reactions: robprins
samuelpegg said:
It may be coming soon to Ontario. The Provincial Government announced a 30-day consultation on April 28, 2026. Individuals, industry partners, health organizations and others will be invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes through Ontario’s Regulatory Registry.

Following the consultation period, the government will consider feedback received through the consultation before making any future policy and regulatory decisions.

SOURCE:
news.ontario.ca

Ontario Supporting Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids | Ontario Newsroom

Ontario Supporting Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids | Ontario Newsroom
news.ontario.ca news.ontario.ca
Click to expand...
See my other post. If you are along the border or cross it you may already be able to get access to it here in Canada. Having the government allow for over-the-counter hearing aids is way overdue, but there are workarounds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back