AirPods Pro owners in five Canadian provinces can now use the earbuds as over-the-counter hearing aids. Apple’s Canadian feature availability page, which iPhone in Canada reported on October 26, 2026, lists the Hearing Aid and Hearing Test features for Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan only.

Where it works

Apple’s page says the features are regulated health features that require approval, and they are offered after authorization is received. Canada is listed with those five provinces. Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are not on the list, and iPhone in Canada says Apple is approving provinces one at a time.

According to the outlet, the five provinces each allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter, so no prescription is needed. Ontario is working on that change. The province said on October 20 that it plans to allow over-the-counter hearing aids, and the change is expected to be part of its fall economic update, with no firm date set. Health Canada approved Apple’s hearing test and hearing aid features for AirPods Pro 2 in December 2024, but Apple had not switched them on in Canada until now.

What you need

Apple lists these requirements:

  • AirPods Pro 2 or later, on the latest firmware.
  • A compatible iPhone or iPad running iOS 27.2 or iPadOS 27.2 and later.
  • A compatible Mac running macOS Sequoia or later can also use the Hearing Aid feature.
  • The features are meant for people 18 or older, and the Hearing Aid is meant for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

A separate Hearing Aid mode with automatic Conversation Boost is listed for the same five provinces. Apple’s page also lists Hearing Protection for all of Canada on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3, with no province limits.

Apple’s page has one inconsistency. Its introduction mentions iOS 18, while the footnote asks for iOS 27.2. The footnote is the more specific wording, so update to the latest version before looking for the setting.

What it means for readers

If you live in one of the five provinces and own a compatible pair, update your iPhone and earbuds, then open Settings, tap the name of your AirPods and look under Hearing Health for the hearing test. iPhone in Canada says the test takes about five minutes and works best in a quiet room. After that you can turn on the Hearing Aid feature.

Apple says the features are for general information and personal use. They are not a health care service and are not meant to diagnose any condition. Anyone with hearing concerns, a sudden change in hearing or severe hearing loss should consult a licensed hearing or medical professional.

Readers in other provinces will have to wait, and Apple has not given dates for them. This story covers Canada only. Apple’s page does not give US availability or any new prices, so check Apple’s Canadian site for the latest list.