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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!
Better believe hearing aid manufacturers gonna try and legislate these out of existence lest they lose their cash cow.
My bet is a patent troll lawsuit.
A law was passed two years ago to allow certain types of OTC hearing aids. From the FDA’s website…
To increase the public’s access to hearing aids and improve hearing, the FDA established a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults 18 years of age and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss that went into effect on October 17, 2022.
Most countries regulate medical devices rather closely. The US ASND Canada have some parity of regulations so an obvious first step.
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.
Not in Canada. Over the counter hearing aids are only a legal thing in the U.S.
Interesting, thanks for noting that. I wouldn’t have guessed it was unique in the US. I woulda guessed the US was catching up.
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.