Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts and AirPods Hearing Aid Feature Expand to More Countries

Tuesday May 12, 2026 10:53 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today said Hearing Aid features are now available for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in Italy, Romania, and Czechia, while Hypertension alerts have expanded to Israel.

The Hearing Aid option allows the AirPods Pro to be used as an over-the-counter alternative to a traditional set of hearing aids. The AirPods Pro can improve sound to mitigate mild to moderate hearing loss, adjusting voices and sounds around the user to improve hearing. It can also set music, videos, and phone calls to optimal sound levels using a personalized hearing profile created after taking a Hearing Test.

Loud Sound Reduction also prevents hearing damage from loud ambient noise by cutting down on high-decibel sound when using Transparency and Adaptive modes.

Hearing Aid capabilities are available with the AirPods Pro 2 and ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ when paired with a device running iOS 26/iPadOS 26 or later.

In Israel, users will be able to get an alert if the Apple Watch detects signs of chronic high blood pressure. Alerts use data collected from the heart rate sensor over a 30-day period.
Hypertension alerts are available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.

Related Roundups: AirPods 5, Apple Watch 12

Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now), Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Related Forums: AirPods, Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch

Sunday November 1, 2026 3:34 am PST by Tim Hardwick

Apple has published a support document describing what to do if your Apple Watch continues to show time that's off by one hour after daylight savings time changes. "This incorrect time appears only on the Always On display when your wrist is down," says Apple. "When you activate the display by tapping it or raising your wrist, the time changes to the correct hour." To fix the issue, Apple says ...

• 86 comments

Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:28 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released new beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware has a build number of 9B5043a and is rolling out for developers and public beta testers. There's no word on what's included in the firmware update because Apple doesn't offer notes for AirPods beta releases. When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad,...

• 5 comments

watchOS 27.3 Brings Live Rewind and Siri Recap to Apple Watch

Tuesday November 3, 2026 10:35 am PST by Juli Clover

With the first beta of watchOS 27.3, Apple is introducing new Audio Intelligence features it previewed for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 earlier this year. Powered by the S11 chip, Audio Intelligence includes Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and Shazam Music Recognition. Sound Recognition and Shazam are already on the watch, but Live Rewind and Siri Recap are now available ...

• 68 comments

Top Rated Comments

svish

26 weeks ago

Good to know. Getting permission from required authorities is taking time and should be the only reason why launch is delayed in certain regions.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

nickelro

26 weeks ago

Big thumbs up for this one - really excited for my mom to finally try out the hearing aid feature.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

samuelpegg

26 weeks ago

It is still incredibly annoying that… "As of May 2026, the clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 and 3 is not officially activated in Canada due to provincial regulations on over-the-counter (OTC) devices, though Health Canada approved the technology in late 2024" - is this ever going to be activated in Canada? - this seems so highly unusual, and is so frustrating for so many people.

It may be coming soon to Ontario. The Provincial Government announced a 30-day consultation on April 28, 2026. Individuals, industry partners, health organizations and others will be invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes through Ontario’s Regulatory Registry.

Following the consultation period, the government will consider feedback received through the consultation before making any future policy and regulatory decisions.

SOURCE:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007363/ontario-supporting-access-to-over-the-counter-hearing-aids

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

I7guy

26 weeks ago

I love this side of Apple using existing tech integrated with the health app providing interesting and useful information across a variety of health metrics.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Rfrancos

26 weeks ago

It is still incredibly annoying that… "As of May 2026, the clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 and 3 is not officially activated in Canada due to provincial regulations on over-the-counter (OTC) devices, though Health Canada approved the technology in late 2024" - is this ever going to be activated in Canada? - this seems so highly unusual, and is so frustrating for so many people.

Depending on where you are in the country the feature can be activated. I was in the states in January 2025 and it unlocked for me. Since then I have done all iOS updates, replaced my phone and AirPods and still have them working. Other users have said just being along or near the border was enough to activate it. For the record I am in ns.

I agree though that people shouldn’t have to go to these measures to get them working.