Apple AirPods Pro 2 can work as hearing aids

Apple didn't launch new AirPod Pros at its recent event. However, it introduced new features to the AirPods Pro 2 to help improve or at least protect your hearing. Apple introduced an "end-to-end hearing health experience" that introduces features to ensure your hearing health is good. The most notable feature turns the Apple AirPods Pro 2 into a hearing aid.

But that isn't coming to Canada yet, so let's talk about what we are getting first. The aptly named Hearing Protection shields your ears from loud environmental noise while preserving the sound signature of what you're listening to. The ear tips already offer some passive noise reduction, while its H2 chip helps actively reduce louder sounds at 48,000 times per second.

Hearing Protection is on by default across all listening modes and works for different loud environments. A new multi-band high dynamic range algorithm ensures sounds at live events remain natural and vibrant even if you're wearing your buds.

Now, if you're in the US and plan to use the AirPods Pro 2 as your hearing aid. These earbuds get a "scientifically validated" Hearing Test. You can take it with the help of a compatible iPhone or iPad. It allows you to check your hearing from the comfort of your home.

Hearing Test takes a standard clinical approach called pure-tone audiometry. It uses advanced acoustic science to help determine your hearing health. You'll get an easy-to-understand summary of your hearing profile, which Apple says is stored "privately and securely" in your Health app.

This profile will be useful if you turn the AirPods Pro 2 into a clinical-grade hearing aid. It works for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Hearing Aid allows for personalized dynamic adjustments to sound. Audio gets boosted in real time. Your personalized profile will be automatically applied to the different audio modes. You don't need to tweak anything for the feature to work.

Apple claims this is the first software-based hearing aid you can fine-tune at any time. According to the company, you can also set up this Hearing Aid feature with an audiogram created by a hearing health professional. This Hearing Aid feature has already received authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Apple plans to roll out this feature this fall in over 100 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Japan.

But, as we mentioned, there is no word about Canadian availability yet. For one, you can't get hearing aids over the counter in Canada. You need a licensed hearing professional to get one through a prescription. Health Canada is also required to approve devices classified as hearing aids.

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