At the end of this letter, I have included a link to a very long list of countries that have approved the hearing aid features on Apple Air Pods, including the USA.
Although the Canadian federal government has removed federal restrictions for this feature some provinces, including Ontario, are resisting.
Clearly, the hearing aid manufacturers and audiologists are resisting and lobbying governments to maintain their monopoly on overpriced hearing aids.
But with the introduction of reasonably priced, over-the- counter hearing aids that are easily available to everyone, it can only be a matter of time before governments everywhere approve these devices, including Ontario.
Canada has announced several new social medical programs, including dental care, pharmacare and daycare, which cost taxpayers millions and are available in Ontario.
Approval of Apple Airpods as hearing devices would cost taxpayers and governments very little and would be of great benefit to low income seniors, the people who typically experience hearing loss and who can least afford paying more than $5,000 for hearing aids.
Current government assistance programs for hearing aids cover only a small fraction of the cost of expensive hearing aids.
As a senior citizen and taxpayer in Ontario I respectfully request that the Ontario government approve hearing aid features for Apple Air Pods.
Click this link to check out the list of countries that have already approved their use.
Jim Curry
Sudbury