As you grow older do you start wrorrying your hearing isn't what it once was? You've got the subtitles on for Netflix shows or after a concert you're convinced that your ears just won't recover? Well, if you've got an iPhone and a pair of AirPods you can start keeping tabs on your possible hearing loss.
Canadians can now use AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 to take a clinically validated hearing test right from home. And in several provinces, immediately switch on clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing assistance.
How Common Is Hearing Loss In Canada?
Nearly one in five Canadians reports some form of hearing trouble, according to Statistics Canada. The catch? Most people wait years to get checked out by a profesional for whatever reason.
Putting those tools into earbuds millions already keep in their pockets makes this kind of test more accessible than ever.
Here is everything you need to know about what's live, how it works, and who can use it.
What Is the Hearing Test?
Built directly into iOS and iPadOS, the Hearing Test is a self-administered check grounded in pure-tone audiometry, the exact gold-standard diagnostic audiologists use.
Designed for anyone 18 and older, it tests multiple frequencies to gauge where your ears sit across the spectrum: from little-to-no loss up to severe or profound loss.
When finished, it outputs your personal audiogram (measured in decibels of hearing level, or dBHL).
- Private by default: Results live in the Apple Health app, encrypted end-to-end so Apple can't see them.
- Doctor-ready: You can export your audiogram as a clean PDF to bring straight to your family physician or clinic.
- Already tested? You don't have to rerun it, you can snap a photo of an existing paper audiogram to import your numbers automatically.
How to Take the Test in 5 Minutes
The process is simple, but it has a couple of built-in guardrails to make sure you get clinic-grade accuracy:
- Pop in your AirPods Pro: Head into Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap your AirPods name right at the top.
- Hit Hearing Health: Scroll to the new section and choose Take a Hearing Test.
- The quick environment check: iOS checks your room's ambient noise level. If it's too loud, it stops and tells you to move somewhere quieter. It also plays a quick tone burst to confirm your silicone tips have an airtight acoustic seal.
- Tap when you hear the tone: You'll hear three quick pulses across alternating frequencies. Whenever you hear them (even faintly) tap the screen.
- Get your profile: Within five minutes, your audiogram is ready. If the software flags unexpected or sudden unilateral hearing drops, it explicitly prompts you to seek immediate medical care.
The Hearing Aid Feature: Instant OTC Sound Boost
If your test flags mild-to-moderate loss, you can immediately activate the clinical-grade Hearing Aid capability.
Using Apple's H2 chip, your AirPods continuously analyze ambient sound, applying your exact audiogram curve to boost speech frequencies in real time while keeping the rest of the soundscape natural.
- Automatic media tuning: Your audiogram automatically tunes your music, movies, podcasts, and phone calls across all your synced Apple devices.
- Two-finger control: Swiping down into Control Centre gives you two dedicated volume faders: one for your device's media and one for the real-world amplification around you.
- Conversation Boost: Focuses the beamforming microphones directly on the person talking in front of you (ideal for loud restaurants).
- Zero battery penalty: It runs on standard Transparency mode power draw, delivering up to 10 hours of continuous use on AirPods Pro 3.
Which Provinces Have It Today?
While the Hearing Test is available nationwide across all Canadian provinces and territories, the actual Hearing Aid capability is classified as an over-the-counter medical device, which is regulated provincially.
Here is the current breakdown:
- Hearing Test: Available across all Canadian provinces and territories.
- Hearing Aid Feature (OTC): Available now in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.
- Ontario and remaining provinces: Since this is something legistlated locally, the remaining provinces in Canada will hopefully become aware of this technology and consider making it accessible to people in their region.
- Hearing Protection: Already live across all of Canada, quietly lowering loud decibels in real time at concerts and events while preserving music clarity.
The Takeaway
If you have AirPods Pro 2 or 3 already and an iPhone this seems like a no-brainer.
Clinical studies submitted to global health authorities (including Health Canada) showed that self-fitting AirPods Pro delivered results on par with a professional audiologist fitting.
This isn't a substitute by any means for going to see a professional if you have concerns, but theese tests can help you set a baseline so you can monitor this aspect of your health over time.
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