Apple says its Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are currently unavailable in Canada because of regulatory restrictions. A House of Commons committee response reports that Health Canada issued Class II medical-device licences related to Apple’s AirPods Pro firmware and Hearing Aid Feature iPhone app in December 2024. Those are separate facts: a reported licence does not mean Apple has released the feature for Canadian consumers.
If you are considering AirPods Pro 2 for hearing assistance, do not assume the feature can currently be used in Canada. Apple identifies AirPods Pro 2 as compatible hardware where the feature is available, but gives no Canadian launch date or details about the outstanding regulatory step.
Key takeaways
- Apple’s Canadian availability page says Hearing Test and Hearing Aid are not currently available in Canada due to regulatory restrictions.
- A House of Commons committee response reports that Health Canada issued Class II licences relating to Apple’s AirPods Pro firmware and Hearing Aid Feature iPhone app in December 2024.
- Licensing and Apple’s regional release are different questions; the reported licences do not establish that Canadian consumers can activate the feature.
- Apple describes the Hearing Aid feature as intended for people 18 or older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
- No Canadian release date is stated in the cited Apple information.
Is the AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature approved by Health Canada?
The available sources report that Health Canada issued Class II medical-device licences related to Apple’s AirPods Pro firmware and Hearing Aid Feature iPhone app in December 2024. However, Apple’s current Canadian feature-availability page says the Hearing Aid and Hearing Test features cannot be released in Canada at this time. So a reported licence should not be treated as confirmation that Canadians can use the feature.
Health Canada explains that Class II, III, and IV medical devices require a valid medical-device licence before sale or import in Canada. Its active Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL) shows devices currently licensed for sale, and Health Canada advises checking the listing when considering a purchase because licence status can change. The committee response is a historical report; consult Health Canada’s active listing for current licence status.
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- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Apple states: “Due to regulatory restrictions, Apple is unable to release the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features in Canada at this time.” That is the clearest current answer to whether the features are available to Canadian consumers.
Why can a feature be licensed but unavailable?
A medical-device licence and a manufacturer’s regional product release answer different questions. Health Canada’s licensing information concerns a device’s regulatory status; Apple’s availability page describes whether Apple currently releases the feature in a particular region. The sources do not explain the specific outstanding regulatory step, so it would be speculative to identify one.
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- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Health Canada says licence status may change, including through suspension, cancellation at annual renewal, or manufacturer discontinuation. Check the active listing when considering a medical-device purchase rather than relying only on a past report of licensing.
What does the Hearing Aid feature do where available?
Apple describes the Hearing Aid feature as intended for adults aged 18 or older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. On compatible hardware, it uses a personalized hearing profile to adjust environmental sound. Apple says setup can use an Apple Hearing Test result or an audiogram from a hearing-health professional.
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- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
Apple identifies AirPods Pro 2 as compatible hardware and specifies current firmware and a compatible iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later. These requirements do not override the Canadian regional restriction.
| Question | What the cited sources say | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| Is the feature available in Canada? | Apple says Hearing Test and Hearing Aid are not currently released in Canada because of regulatory restrictions. | That a Canadian purchase can activate the features. |
| What licensing information is reported? | A House of Commons committee response reports Class II licences issued in December 2024 related to Apple’s AirPods Pro firmware and Hearing Aid Feature iPhone app. | That the historical report confirms current licence status or consumer availability. |
| Which hardware does Apple identify? | AirPods Pro 2, with current firmware and a compatible iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later. | That compatibility means the feature is released in every region. |
Should Canadians buy AirPods Pro 2 for hearing assistance?
Do not buy AirPods Pro 2 expecting to use the Hearing Aid or Hearing Test feature in Canada while Apple lists them as unavailable. If you are considering the product for other reasons, treat that as a separate decision and check Apple’s Canadian availability page and Health Canada’s active listing before purchase.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
- Check Apple’s Canadian feature-availability page for the current regional status.
- Check Health Canada’s active MDALL listing for current licence information.
- Confirm the exact model and compatible Apple hardware and software requirements.
- Consider whether a hearing-health professional’s assessment is appropriate for your needs.
Apple’s stated intended-use group is adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. If your hearing concerns are outside that description or you need an assessment, consult a qualified hearing-health professional.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Can I use AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid in Canada?
Apple currently says the Hearing Aid and Hearing Test features are not released in Canada because of regulatory restrictions. Do not assume the features can be activated based on a reported licence or the product’s compatibility elsewhere.
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Does a Health Canada licence mean the feature is available to consumers?
No. Licensing and Apple’s regional release are distinct. The committee response reports licences issued in December 2024, while Apple’s current Canadian page says the features are not available in Canada.
When will the features launch in Canada?
The cited Apple page gives no launch date or detailed outstanding regulatory step. Do not rely on predictions; check Apple’s availability page for changes.
Can I set up the feature with an audiologist’s audiogram?
Where the feature is available, Apple says it can be set up using an audiogram from a hearing-health professional or an Apple Hearing Test result. That setup option does not change the current Canadian availability status.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Apple Canada: Hearing Health Feature Availability
- Health Canada: Overview – Medical device licences
- Health Canada: About medical devices
- Apple Canada: September 9, 2024 announcement
- House of Commons committee response, HCS-105-2025
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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