Hearing test not available in Australia after iOS update this morning

I just installed iOS 18.3 this morning and am staggered to find that the Hearing Aid feature is still not available! What gives Apple? This was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Authority in mid December in Australia so I would have expected that sufficient time has passed for this feature to be baked into iOS 18.3, but no. What a disappointment, especially considering that I bought my AirPods Pro 2 (already have first edition) for this very reason. When it will arrive is anybody’s guess it seems.

No Problem, I don't know the inner workings on what is done after approval, but thought it would be helpful to know that previously with the ECG feature on the watch, it was 2 months after approval. The good news is the feature should be coming to you soon and would consider anything before the 2 month mark to be a win.

I have a real trust problem here with your information. The feature was on my iPhone here in Australia and working very well until I upgraded to 18.3 where it disappeared. So, Mac Jim ID, as interesting as your response is, it still wouldn't pass the "Pub Test" here in Aus. What I'm learning is that Apple doesn't sell its features, it just shares them as it suits their purposes with a strong bias towards the US market. In regard to global public relationships, Apple comes across as a selfish little child when he prioritises the US above all others. "Ultimate power corrupts, ultimately".

Hopefully, given it was approved in the UK around the same time as Australia its ridiculous that it hasn't been turned on in Aust. Especially given its clear that its oly a matter of switching it on in IOS in the Aust. region.

In Australia no need for doctor visit to use airpods feature but I would imagine for a standard hearing aid even though here no doctor’s prescription is required you should be referred by someone like an audiologist or doctor etc.

Raylud wrote:

Finally!!! 4 months later, it works! Now Apple, was that so difficult. Greatly appreciate the feature, but why take so long? Didn’t even need an ios update.

• The ECG feature of the Apple Watch was launched in December 2018, but not approved by the TGA until March 2021. Over 2 years later.
• The Sleep Apnea feature of the Apple Watch has been approved in over 150 countries since last September when it was launched, but still has NOT been approved by the TGA.
• The hearing aid feature was available in over 100 countries last September when launched and not approved by the TGA until the end of December.

Why take so long? You are correct it should not be that difficult.

gspeak wrote:

As others have noted & was even featured on News over different media on The hearing test facility appeared on my AurPods Pro 2 settings on Wednesday 26th March.

I have been using it since then daily. It wasn’t associated with any announced firmware updates.

That is correct. A new firmware update was not required to use the feature or even an iOS update. The firmware update that includes the feature was made long ago in Version 7B19, so making sure you have at least that version would be necessary to use the feature.

I did exactly the same thing....and I cannot find any information about when hearing test and hearing assist might become available in Australia - has Apple even applied for TGA approval I wonder?

Yep. Lucky country? Let’s call it the land of ‘rules to PROTECT the citizens’.

Shouldn’t be surprised. Our TGA is a joke. So many peptides (for example) that could help so many people with dozens of afflictions, maybe in my kids kids lifetime they may be able to access them.

Yes I noticed that too but that option is still available on the iPad running iOS 18.2.1 I think it is a bug and have reported it to Apple - But it takes a long time to get them to move!!

Tried a friends AirPods Pro on IOS 18.3 but still nothing … disappointed 😢

Same. Took them back and got a full refund. I used to love Apple. I'm really questioning everything these days.

I have updated to 18.3.1 and still no Airpod Hearing aid for Australia

FWIW I tried messing around NordVPN today with US and New Zealand but was not able to switch the hearing aid stuff on.

Still waiting (and using transparency mode with a high tone for now)