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

Im the UK with my settings set to US for Apple intelligence and don’t have the option for hearing test in AirPods settings.
 
Robert.Walter said:
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.
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When you say you set your location to US (and back to CH), can you share what actual settings you changed? There's several linked to location.
 
Works great here in Switzerland on my iPhone 15 Pro with iOS 18.1 RC installed. US and Canada only is not correct.
 
Hopefully one can just reset iPhone and set region to US or Canada and it will (probably? Need confirmation) work fine
 
CE Marking for the EU is similar to the FDA clearance here in the US and they do take the FDA into account but it is a longer and now more difficult process to get CE than it has been previously. I'm sure Apple is already in the process and it won't take them very long but it's a pretty big PITA for smaller medical device companies. The UK now has a separate mark too (UKCA) since they split off for the EU,so you have to go through a separate process now for that too.
 
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cleevans said:
CE Marking for the EU is similar to the FDA clearance here in the US and they do take the FDA into account but it is a longer and now more difficult process to get CE than it has been previously. I'm sure Apple is already in the process and it won't take them very long but it's a pretty big PITA for smaller medical device companies. The UK now has a separate mark too (UKCA) since they split off for the EU,so you have to go through a separate process now for that too.
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The UK's pretty much given up on UKCA now. They'll continue to accept CE. Utter waste of time.
 
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.
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Razorpit said:
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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The WHO is part of the UN and already undertakes Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) on global products, and issues guidance and policy on which most countries' local regulators base their certification requirements and processes.
 
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I guess Apple has to monitor where I am to be able to restrict my hardware usage... witch leads to the already old statement that we don't buy anything actually, we just pay for use and to be watched by the big brother.
 
gustavopi said:
I guess Apple has to monitor where I am to be able to restrict my hardware usage... witch leads to the already old statement that we don't buy anything actually, we just pay for use and to be watched by the big brother.
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Or maybe it's just that 'Region' setting rather than anything more sinister?
 
DougieS said:
Can book them for free at Boots too. Might not be as comprehensive but easier to arrange.
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Went to my GP and had a test at Boots, ended up being referred to audiology at the hospital. They issued hearing aids due to age related hearing loss and suffering from tinnitus.
 
Not of interest to me - I wear hear aids. First battery life esn't long enough to replace real hearing aids. Second I wouldn't want to be in a meeting or some social event, etc. and have people think I'm listening to music or ? on my iPods Who knows.

Reasons things are available everywhere is lawyers
 
MacRumors said:


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
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I’ve never been able to find buds that fit my large ears properly to completely make use of noise cancellation . Will I still benefit from hearing aid?
 
Disappointing. My dad would love to use AirPods as a hearing aid. Hope apple releases it to more countries.
 
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