Canadians Disappointed! Pro 2 AirPods Approved As Hearing Help, But Can't Be Used!

AirPods Pro 2, users can do hearing tests directly through the device. (photo: x @tsumugicocoro)

JAKARTA - Health Canada has approved AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. However, Canadians still haven't been able to enjoy the feature due to regulatory problems that seem difficult to overcome.

Apple first updated the AirPods Pro 2 with the feature of hearing aids and auditory tests for users in the US in October 2024. Since then, this feature has been launched in more than 100 countries. However, even though Health Canada has given approval, this feature has not yet been activated in the country.

According to a CTV News report, many Canadians were disappointed after buying AirPods Pro 2 because they thought the feature was available based on approval from Health Canada. One of the users, Art Jackes of Oakville, felt cheated after knowing the feature could not be used.

"I feel like I was cheated," said Jackes. "I don't think it's fair to be detained. It's a matter of accessibility. Everyone needs all the profit they can get."

Unfortunately, this problem is not just about Apple pressing the feature activation button. Like most technology products related to health, regulation is a major challenge.

A spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of Health stated that the provision of hearing aids in Canada should only be done by audiological and licensed doctors.

"If AirPods Pro 2 is sold in Ontario as a hearing aid, it must comply with the requirements contained in the Regulated Health Professionals Act, 1991," the spokesman said.

With this rule, it seems that Canada will not allow Apple to activate the hearing aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 unless there is a significant change in regulations governing the health profession.

Canada is not the only country facing regulatory problems related to the hearing aid feature at AirPods Pro 2. In Europe, this feature is also not universally available. In France, for example, only a few elements of the feature have been approved and activated.

Similar cases also occurred in 2019 when Health Canada approved the ECG (electrocardiogram) feature on Apple Watch. Despite having obtained permission, the feature experienced delays in activation due to reasons allegedly coming from Apple itself.

In countries that already support the AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature, users can do hearing tests directly through the device. The test results will determine whether users need to consult professionally or simply rely on AirPods Pro 2 to adjust the sound output according to their hearing loss rate.

However, for Canadians, this feature is still just wishful thinking, unless there are changes in regulations that allow non-medical devices to function as hearing aids.