Apple announced on Monday, October 26, the availability of its Hearing Test feature for AirPods Pro 3 across Canada. The company also confirmed that its Hearing Aid feature is available in approved provinces, including British Columbia, where it can help people with mild to moderate hearing loss hear better in different everyday situations.
The announcement is also relevant to users of previous generations of Apple’s earbuds. AirPods Pro 2, released in 2022, support the company’s hearing health features, provided they meet Apple’s software and firmware requirements.
Taking a Hearing Test at Home: A Personal Experience
I have been using AirPods Pro 2 for about two years. Among the reasons I decided to buy them were the ability to test my hearing and access high-quality sound amplification tailored to the user’s individual hearing profile.
I took Apple’s Hearing Test and, fortunately, the results did not indicate hearing loss. The experience allows users to assess how well they hear sounds in each ear and review their results directly in the Health app on an iPhone or iPad.
The test takes approximately five minutes and uses a method based on pure-tone audiometry, an approach widely used in clinical hearing assessments. At the end, the system provides information about hearing levels, a classification of the results, and recommendations.
Although the test offers a convenient way to monitor hearing health, it does not replace a professional medical or audiological evaluation. Apple makes it clear that the tool is intended for informational purposes and is not designed to diagnose medical conditions.
Earbuds Can Function as Hearing Aids
In addition to the hearing test, Apple offers a feature that turns compatible AirPods Pro into a personalized sound amplification solution for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The feature uses the hearing profile obtained from the test to adjust environmental sounds in real time. The goal is to make conversations easier to follow, improve speech perception, and help users stay connected to their surroundings.
Personalization can also be configured using an audiogram created by a hearing health professional. Once configured, the personalized hearing profile can be applied automatically to music, movies, games, and phone calls without requiring constant manual adjustments.
The availability of the Hearing Aid feature depends on the regulations in each Canadian province. In its October 26 announcement, Apple confirmed availability in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.
Technology and Accessibility Go Hand in Hand
According to Statistics Canada data cited by Apple, nearly one in five Canadians report hearing difficulties. Untreated hearing loss can affect communication, overall well-being, and participation in social situations.
Dr. Vincent Lin, from the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, says accessible assessment tools can help people recognize hearing difficulties and seek support more easily.
The initiative also highlights a broader trend in the technology industry: everyday devices are incorporating features that go beyond entertainment and communication, offering tools focused on health and accessibility.
In the case of AirPods Pro 2, my experience reinforces the appeal of combining these functions. The ability to check my hearing and access sound amplification features was one of the factors that influenced my purchasing decision. My test results were reassuring, but the technology’s value goes beyond identifying potential difficulties: it can also make hearing health monitoring more accessible.
Compatibility and Privacy
The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are compatible with AirPods Pro 2 or later, provided the earbuds have the latest firmware and are paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad running the required operating system version.
Apple also states that health data stored in the Health app is protected by encryption mechanisms. This includes end-to-end encryption for data synchronized with iCloud when the recommended security settings are enabled.
The company aims to expand the availability of the Hearing Aid feature to additional regions as it receives the necessary regulatory approvals.
Important: Anyone experiencing changes in their hearing should consult a qualified health professional. The AirPods Pro hearing test is a complementary informational tool and does not replace a clinical assessment.
