I saw in Apple’s YouTube video introducing the hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro 2 at 1:34 mark that “Feature is only available in the U.S and Canada”. Which feature? Hearing test? Hearing protection? Or the whole thing of AirPods Pro 2 doubling as a hearing aid? I find this extremely confusing and would love some explanation from the community. Thanks in advance!

  • paraphrand@lemmy.worldEnglish
    41·
    8 days ago

    This. And the reason the hearing aid stuff is even happening is due to rule changes that happened in (I think) the last 4 years. They loosened up definitions and requirements in light of the current tech landscape.

    • ebits21English
      2·
      8 days ago

      Not in Canada. Over the counter hearing aids are only a legal thing in the U.S.

      • paraphrand@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        8 days ago

        Interesting, thanks for noting that. I wouldn’t have guessed it was unique in the US. I woulda guessed the US was catching up.

      • Nogami@lemmy.world
        21·
        8 days ago

        They’re obscenely priced too. If AirPods can do even half as good as dedicated ones they’ll be an amazing tool for people with poor hearing.

        My wife’s dad is too proud to buy hearing aids but he might be convinced to use AirPods because they’re just headphones like everyone wears.