Hearing test not available in Australia after iOS update this morning

We won't have to wait long for IOS 18.3. 9TO5Mac reports release is likely next week following IOS release notes published yesterday. A closing remark in the article: " .... If Apple follows its usual pattern, which is not a guarantee, iOS 18.3 will be released to the general public next week. ". FINGERS CROSSED. Lets hope the Hearing Aid functionality is included in this update!

Seems iOS 18.3 made a hearing-aid feature available in U.K.

If I remember correctly, U.K. approved the feature prior to Australian regulators giving approval. Other countries are waiting also ...Perhaps it is a relief to know the late-comers are gradually being taken care of as well. (Over 100 countries gave approval before the release of the new hearing-health features.)

hearing Test feature not being available in Australia to me would be due to the hearing aid companies. I know someone whom lost their $8000 pair of hearing aids and bought the AirPods Pro 2 to use the feature at a budget price. How disappointing that the ones needing hearing aids have to pay thousands that they can NOT afford in this cost of living crisis. Absolute joke! New Zealand has the feature and I’m disgusted that allegedly Australia has not allowed this feature for the ones that can not afford the overpriced hearing aids. There are peeps whom are hard of hearing and have to live with it. I’m sick of gov offers for hearing discounts that still leave expensive out of pocket expenses. Have a heart and allow the hearing aid feature to at least seniors but preferably everyone that has an issue and can NOT afford the overpriced hearing aid tech by health companies. Hearing aids should be no more than $500 AUD

psyxe wrote:

I’m currently on 18.1.1

am I unable to access this feature as of February 8?

Based on the previously approved ECG feature on the Apple Watch, it was 2 months after approval by the TGA before it arrived on the device through an update. Since the TGA did not approve the Hearing Test feature until the end of December, that would put it somewhere at the end of February if the timeframe is comparable.

You forget that over 100 countries had already approved the hearing test that was available for launch back in September. The TGA just recently approved it and based on the previous ECG approval, it took 2 months after approval to see it on the device. Apple is not holding up their updates, just waiting for the TGA to approve the feature and their roadmap on software updates are planned several months ahead of time with multiple point updates. Currently iOS 18.4 is in beta and will likely be released shortly, but they are also working on future updates as well.

There has been no indication on which update would have added availability after the TGA approved it, but it would go through the same testing and beta process as all updates and depends on where in the queue of updates it was added. Also note that the sleep apnea feature in the Apple Watch has still not been approved by the TGA and that had previously been approved by over 150 countries back in September. There is clearly a delay in Australian customers getting these new features, but it is also clear why that is the case.

I got the following from TGA today.

Thank you for your enquiry to the TGA.

The supply of Apple’s in-the-ear hearing aid has been approved for supply by the TGA in Australia since 17 December 2024.

You will need to contact Apple, the manufacturer of the device directly to obtain infomration about their plans to market and make available their medical device.

Kind regards

David

Which begs the question of Apple as to why did the software disappear when upgrading to 18.3 here in Australia???? "Not happy, Jan!"

[Edited by Moderator]

Please be patient. Seems it generally takes a couple of months after regulatory authorities approve the hearing features, and there has been less time than that.

Over 100 countries gave approval before the release last year.

peter.neale wrote:

I posted here last night and now my post has disappeared. Does the Big Hearing Aid lobby control this site too?

What I said was that I have just installed the 18.4 update on my phone and the hearing aid function is still missing. Is this a game or something?

I see your previous post here just fine. Maybe you need to use the Sort By option just under the original post and choose the Newest option so the posts will show newest first. Not sure what your issue is with the "Big Hearing lobby", but it seems everyone else in Australia has it and they have had it since March 26th. Updating to iOS 18.4 is not necessary.

The AirPods do need to be using a firmware version greater than 7B19. That firmware version was available a long time ago, so unless your AirPods were never given the chance to update automatically, they should already have at least that update and the most recent firmware version is 7E93. All the information about firmware updates are in my previous post along with the announcement from Apple showing it became available on March 26th. The other requirement is that you have to be at least 18.

kit laughlin wrote: "...Does anyone know where one can post to convey our wishes to Apple?"

Here:

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

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Seems Apple Support's article dated September 2024 (link below) explains step-by-step how to prepare, and then "Use your audiogram data from the Health app"

Customize headphone audio levels on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If Apple's method isn't working for you, you might want to send feedback to Apple, They will likely not reply, yet your feedback will reach those who can make changes if others are also having a similar issue: Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Alancito wrote:

kit laughlin wrote: "...Does anyone know where one can post to convey our wishes to Apple?

"

Here:

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

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It will do no good to contact Apple. As I mentioned before, It's not Apple who approves where the hearing aid feature will be allowed. It is up to each country. Contact the government agency that approves medical devices.

Hi Mashmool,

Wonderful to read how your Dad has you to help! Thank you for sharing.

As we are all Apple users, like yourself, in the community, Apple itself is unlikely to read your carefully prepared plea here.

Seems we need to continue being patient until Apple either makes an announcement, or, more likely, includes the hearing test, and / or the hearing-aid feature to more of the latecomer-countries in its frequent software updates.

With the various computers and devices, and many software versions in use worldwide, am grateful to see Apple continues to gradually add countries to its long availability list. (ie: AirPods Pro 2 - Hearing Health Feature Availability - Apple)

Expecting we'll see Australia on the list before too long, as UK was added promptly when the time was right for all concerned.

The earlier hearing features that were released quite some time ago (eg: Live Listen / Conversation Boost etc.) continue to be available for use. (Seems they did not require approval from local authorities.)

If you wish you could send feedback to reach those who work on the software behind-the-scenes at Apple. (They will likely not reply.) Feedback - AirPods - Apple

AQUAJIM wrote: "come on Apple another update this morning and Australia still NOT on the approved list. WHAT is the hold up"

AQUAJIM ~ Apple is unlikely to see your post in these user-to-user communities. Use these links:

How to contact Apple for accessibility support

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

Product Feedback - Apple

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