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iOS 18.1: AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Protection Availability Limited to US and Canada at Launch

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Apple's new Hearing Protection feature for AirPods Pro 2 launching with iOS 18.1 next week will initially be available only in the United States and Canada, according to Apple's website.

airpods-pro-voice-isolation.jpg

The Hearing Protection feature continuously monitors the user's environment and reduces the impact of loud sounds, such as traffic or concerts, in real time. This function will be integrated across various listening modes, including noise cancellation and transparency mode – but only in the US and Canada at launch.

Meanwhile, the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are expected to be available fall 2024, according to Apple. Apple has obtained FDA authorization in the United States to market AirPods Pro 2 as "clinical grade" hearing aids. However, the company said in September that the Hearing Aid feature is pending marketing authorization from global health authorities, so there is a question mark over worldwide availability.

The new hearing health functions allow AirPods Pro 2 owners to take hearing tests directly through their iPhone, with results stored in the Health app. For users who show signs of hearing loss, the AirPods can function as genuine hearing aids, boosting specific frequencies in real-time. The update also introduces advanced hearing protection features that automatically reduce exposure to loud environmental sounds.
The company is expected to release iOS 18.1 to the public on Monday, October 28, bringing the new AirPods Pro 2 capabilities to eligible users.

Article corrected to Hearing Protection regional limitations, not hearing features per se. Apologies for the error.

Article Link: iOS 18.1: AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Protection Availability Limited to US and Canada at Launch
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/ios-airpods-pro-2-hearing-features-us-canada/
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Although now being widely reported, I'm not convinced that this restriction is entirely accurate. In their own footnotes, Apple says (my emphasis in orange):

1. The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are expected to be available fall 2024. The Hearing Aid feature has received FDA authorization. Both features will be supported on AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 and later and are intended for people 18 years old or older. The Hearing Aid feature will also be supported on a compatible Mac with macOS Sequoia and later. It is intended for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

2. The Hearing Protection feature works with AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia and later. Feature is only available in the U.S. and Canada. See support.apple.com/120850 for total attenuation and more information. The Hearing Protection feature is not suitable for protection against extremely loud impulse sounds, such as gunfire, fireworks, or jackhammers, or against sustained sounds louder than 110 dBA.
Click to expand...

i.e. it specifically calls out the Hearing Protection feature as being limited to US/Canada at this time, implicitly excluding the Hearing Aid function. The first paragraph which explicitly covers the hearing aid and test function makes no mention of a US/Canada restriction.

Add to that the fact the many users in seemingly random countries (including Switzerland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Bulgaria) appear to have this working, without having to resort to regional hacks. I'm guessing that Apple have enabled this for countries where they've already got (or don't need) regulatory approval - and hopefully will publish a list when the beta goes live next week with more countries quickly being added as approvals are granted.
 
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Works great. Was expecting bad results. Thanks Apple for saving me a trip to see an audiologist.
 
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I’m on the 18.1 RC and in Ireland. The features are currently working for me. This reporting seems incorrect in some way. I used the hearing test last night after the release candidate was ‘released’.
 
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Hearing test shows up here in Norway on the iOS 18.1 RC.

(It didn't show up on the macOS 15.1 RC, but I'm wondering if that is because Hearing Aid features in macOS is limited to some M1 pro+ chips and M2 and higher, so my MB Air M1, isn't covered. It's like that for my regular hearing aids. I can connect to my work issued MB Air M2, but not at home. The work machine isn't on the beta program - though - so I cannut verify that until Tuesday-ish ;))

Haven't seen anything about the new (?) hearing protection function, so that may very well be US & Canada only...for now?
 
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I remember the times when Apple was like „here’s a new feature and it’s instantly available in 30-something countries.“
 
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Treble said:
Mate you could always go To your gp get referred to audiology then free on the nhs
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I have for 40 years and had 27 operations and have perforated eardrums. I never needed hearing aid but my hearing is quite bad but I’m used to it, I see my specialist every 6 months. But the idea the AirPods could boost certain sounds I was really excited about. I hope it comes to the uk
 
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There is an entity called the United Nations, and in this day and age, they should establish global regulatory requirements for essential health-related products. The same applies to all the heart-related apps on the Apple Watch, which are only available in certain countries due to localization—something that shouldn't even exist nowadays.
 
cdcdoc said:
It is not exactly true. I am in Switzerland and I have the option. I was able to test it.
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Gleichfalls.

I didn’t see with location set to CH.
Set to US and then took test.
Audiogram matches that from my audiologist.
Set up hearing aid.
Set country back to CH and function is still there.
Have really been looking forward to this.
 
jomartz said:
There is an entity called the United Nations, and in this day and age, they should establish global regulatory requirements for essential health-related products. The same applies to all the heart-related apps on the Apple Watch, which are only available in certain countries due to localization—something that shouldn't even exist nowadays.
Click to expand...
While that sounds like a noble idea, the last thing you want is for the UN to have any real power, over anything.
 
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