iOS 18.1: AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Protection Availability Limited to US and Canada at Launch

Apple's new Hearing Protection feature for AirPods Pro 2 launching with iOS 18.1 next week will initially be available only in the United States and Canada, according to Apple's website.

airpods pro voice isolation
The Hearing Protection feature continuously monitors the user's environment and reduces the impact of loud sounds, such as traffic or concerts, in real time. This function will be integrated across various listening modes, including noise cancellation and transparency mode – but only in the US and Canada at launch.

Meanwhile, the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are expected to be available fall 2024, according to Apple. Apple has obtained FDA authorization in the United States to market AirPods Pro 2 as "clinical grade" hearing aids. However, the company said in September that the Hearing Aid feature is pending marketing authorization from global health authorities, so there is a question mark over worldwide availability.

The new hearing health functions allow AirPods Pro 2 owners to take hearing tests directly through their iPhone, with results stored in the Health app. For users who show signs of hearing loss, the AirPods can function as genuine hearing aids, boosting specific frequencies in real-time. The update also introduces advanced hearing protection features that automatically reduce exposure to loud environmental sounds.

The company is expected to release iOS 18.1 to the public on Monday, October 28, bringing the new AirPods Pro 2 capabilities to eligible users.

Article corrected to Hearing Protection regional limitations, not hearing features per se. Apologies for the error.

Related Roundups: AirPods Pro, iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Caution)
Related Forums: AirPods, iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

carrot_bg Avatar
23 weeks ago
Soon iPhone will be US-only device.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarAnalogy Avatar
23 weeks ago
At least now US users will be able to hear the complaints from the rest of the world.

Just kidding. They’re not listening anyway!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
23 weeks ago
Although now being widely reported, I'm not convinced that this restriction is entirely accurate. In their own footnotes, Apple says (my emphasis in orange):


1. The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are expected to be available fall 2024. The Hearing Aid feature has received FDA authorization. Both features will be supported on AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 and later and are intended for people 18 years old or older. The Hearing Aid feature will also be supported on a compatible Mac with macOS Sequoia and later. It is intended for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

2. The Hearing Protection feature works with AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia and later. Feature is only available in the U.S. and Canada. See support.apple.com/120850 for total attenuation and more information. The Hearing Protection feature is not suitable for protection against extremely loud impulse sounds, such as gunfire, fireworks, or jackhammers, or against sustained sounds louder than 110 dBA.
i.e. it specifically calls out the Hearing Protection feature as being limited to US/Canada at this time, implicitly excluding the Hearing Aid function. The first paragraph which explicitly covers the hearing aid and test function makes no mention of a US/Canada restriction.

Add to that the fact the many users in seemingly random countries (including Switzerland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Bulgaria) appear to have this working, without having to resort to regional hacks. I'm guessing that Apple have enabled this for countries where they've already got (or don't need) regulatory approval - and hopefully will publish a list when the beta goes live next week with more countries quickly being added as approvals are granted.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
haruhiko Avatar
23 weeks ago
No problem, everyone’s phone will be from the U.S. after iOS 18.1 release.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
23 weeks ago
Why can't Apple just market these features with a disclaimer in countries where it hasn't been approved? It's so absurd to deny the rest of the world this stuff.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Psdn Avatar
23 weeks ago
I’m on RC and it’s working here in Denmark ?? (EU).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)