An Apple AirPods Pro 2 upgrade is the capability to use the earbuds as hearing aid. Changes in U.K. regulations mean Apple will upgrade the software imminently.

The H2 chip at the heart of these earbuds delivers twice the active noise cancellation power of the original AirPods Pro, making them significantly better at blocking out unwanted background noise. Whether you’re trying to focus in a busy office or find some peace during your commute, the difference is noticeable.

The UK's department of health and social care has approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids, which has prompted Apple to announce

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are on sale for $180 via Amazon. This is the first serious discount of the year and represents a savings of 28 percent. It's not a record-low, but it’s darn close. The AirPods Pro 2 earbuds have made a real name for themselves since originally launching back in 2022.

Last fall, Apple released an AirPods Pro update that brought an impressive new set of hearing protection features to the AirPods Pro 2. However, due to the regulatory approval process, some countries, including the U.K., missed out on certain features, including the ability to use the AirPods Pro as a hearing aid.

To start the hearing test, make sure your AirPods are charged enough and you're in a quiet room. Once connected with a paired iPhone/iPad, head over to Settings > your AirPods. You can also start the Hearing Test from the Health app by tapping 'Take a Hearing Test' and following on-screen instructions.

The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro wireless earbuds are Anker's most advanced to date, featuring a host of design and hardware upgrades, all while keeping a reasonable price. The noise-canceling buds cost $129.