In AirPod Pro 2, the 'Hearing Assistance' feature (including ‘Set up hearing aid’) is not available in some countries, including the UK. If you’re in the UK (and other places) and have iOS 18.3 you can do a hearing test, but you can’t go on to set up as hearing aids.
Does anyone know if / when the hearing assistance function will be available here in the UK?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone X, iOS 16
The UK restriction was removed on 16/01/2025 so waiting with bated breath for Apple to roll out hearing aid functionality!
The UK restriction was removed on 16/01/2025 so waiting with bated breath for Apple to roll out hearing aid functionality!
Re: In AirPod Pro 2, the 'Hearing Assistance' feature (including ‘Set up hearing aid’) is not available in some countries, including the UK.
In 2024: Apple rolled out the test and feature to all those countries whose regulatory authorities approved their use. It was in use in over 100 countries last year.
Approvals from late-comer countries are responded to via Apple's OS updates. Seems those countries are then appearing on the list: AirPods Pro 2 - Hearing Health Feature Availability - Apple
__________________________________________________________________________________
Re: Does anyone know if / when the hearing assistance function will be available here in the UK?
No. Rumours may abound. UK is not the only country waiting to receive the software features.
We are all Apple users, like yourself, in the community. As far as I know, Apple does not announce ahead of time the details of it's advance-planning for OS updates.
Seems patience is required, both with a country's regulatory authorities, and with Apple. Apple does seem to be carefully responding to the approvals when given, and releasing hearing health features along with other advance-planned update features. Although for some, it's not quickly enough, am grateful to see Apple is continuing gradually to include late-comer countries.
The hearing aid functionality is live - certainly on my iPhone 2020 SE & AirPods 2 Pro!
There wasn't any download - the functionality just appeared through the AirPods entry on the iPhone menu when they're connected. Bear in mind that it only works on AIrPods 2 Pro - not on any other version of AirPods.
The functionality is for mild hearing loss and, for me, it doesn't really work
Reading sone other articles, seemingly the UK GOVERNMENT has now given approval for OTC (Over The Counter) Hearing Aids and update should be within a week or so
In that case, we'll soon see whether the rumours are true or not. About a couple of months after approval by some countries, has seen features become available (eg: health-related software releases like ECG).
The information from Apple Support mentioned in my last post was incorrect. Peter2807 is correct - the hearing aid function is already live in UK (for those with AirPod Pro 2nd and recent model iPhone).
Welcome to this discussion thread, Peter2807.
Thank you for joining us, and for sharing that date 👍
I phoned Apple Support today, 18 March 2025, but they had no news about whether/when this function will be released in the UK.
When is the AirPods Pro 2 hearing aids feature functional in the UK?
