QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Hearing Loss
June 10, 2026
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Moreau, on March 25, during the ministerial Question Period, the Minister of Health appeared before this chamber. At that time, I asked about the approval of Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a clinical-grade Class II medical device in Canada and their potential to serve as an affordable hearing aid option for Canadians experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss. The minister indicated she would be raising this issue with provincial and territorial counterparts the following day as part of a broader discussion on health technologies.
Senator Moreau, can you update the Senate on those discussions and inform us of any progress the minister has made toward enabling broader use of this affordable technology to Canadians?
Thank you, Senator Tannas, for the question. Since your question was during the ministerial Question Period, Minister Michel raised the issue again with her provincial and territorial counterparts to encourage them to allow this feature, but the ultimate decision rests with the provinces and territories. At the federal order, Health Canada issued licences to Apple in December 2024 that authorized the sale of their hearing aid and hearing test features. It’s my understanding, though, that Apple has also acknowledged that the availability of the two features in Canada is delayed because of provincial regulatory restrictions, notably on software.
This is the latest information I have had since you asked the question.
Given the pace of progress, has the minister reconsidered her initial focus on the mechanics of this issue? More specifically, is she now prepared to seriously consider the creation of a new medical device licence class to allow for over‑the-counter hearing aids in Canada?
The avenue you suggested has been considered by the health minister, and it would not enable the federal government to provide greater access to such a hearing device. This is my understanding.
The issue of providing a new medical device licence class would not lie with the federal government, as it is the provinces and territories that regulate, allow or prohibit devices in their own respective jurisdictions.
