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AirPods causing tinnitus?

After using my AirPods for a while, I noticed a high pitched ringing in my ears (that doesn't go away). I didn't know what it was, so I looked it up and it turns out to be tinnitus. Now understand, I don't listen to music, or anything for that matter, loud. As a matter of fact, I carry a pair of earplugs in my pocket, just in case I encounter anything loud that would damage my hearing.


Having said all that, now I notice that when I put my AirPods in my ears and have nothing playing, they emit a high pitched tone that I would say exactly replicates the tone of my tinnitus, leaving me to believe that the AirPods actually caused my tinnitus.


[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Nov 24, 2019 10:46 AM

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Posted on Jan 12, 2023 5:35 AM

This happened to me too. I already had some mild tinnitus and using AirPod Pro 2’s seems to have aggravated it to the point where it is very noticeable all of the time more so in the left ear. I’m going to stop using them altogether in the hope the volume of the ringing returns to normal.


it’s very disappointing as the sound quality is excellent and the ANC makes such an improvement, but I’m worried I’m permanently damaging my ears using these.


For info my AirPod 2 (not pro) never gave me this issue and we’re used daily. It’s also not a volume issue as I can keep volume lower than ever with these being in ear and with the ANC.


Has anyone had any breakthroughs with this by getting them replaced?

623 replies

Nov 8, 2021 4:52 PM in response to Jaqzairarkw

You clearly don't understand how ANC works in AirPods Pro. The AirPod detects external sound leaking past the pod and generates a matching but reversed (exactly out of phase) signal which is added to the leaking noise. The result is that the leaking noise is mathematically cancelled at the exit from the AirPod tip (where the two sound waves meet), and sound pressure level entering your ear is zero.


If you enable ANC and it works as designed you will hear absolutely nothing from outside, the incoming noise just goes away. If ANC is defective you will hear the stronger of either the incoming leak noise if the cancelling signal is too weak, or the noise cancelling signal itself if it is higher than the external noise. Either way you will hear unwanted sound which would have to be at an unsafe level for a relatively prolonged exposure (hours or longer because I don't think AirPods can generate sound levels capable of damaging in the minutes domain) to cause harm. It is impossible to overlook a defective ANC because by definition its failure will result in audible noise in ANC mode.

Nov 14, 2021 5:42 PM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

I have been using airpods pro for almost 2 years, and it is the only earphone I use.

Now I am getting tinnitus. I suspect the earphone would cause tinnitus. I am not saying only Airpods Pro cause it, but every earphone has the potential to damage your listening. Also, it depends on your using time.

I strongly suggest Apple can have some recognizable warning marks on the package and the sale post.

Nov 29, 2021 10:09 AM in response to Jaqzairarkw

Regarding Jaqzairarkw post of 11/8/21: Could you share with me the links to the info you found about "ENTs advice to the public to stay away from AirPods/Headphones" that you mention. I'd like to show that to my ENT.

Regarding my experience: I reiterate--I was new to AirPods, had them a little over 2 weeks, used them once for a phone conversation and then slept with one in my ear with only noise cancellation on --no music, etc. That night I lost hearing in one ear, which has slowly returned but I still have significant loss in certain registers (had 2 audiology tests) and I have frequent tinnitus in both ears. I had no, zero, hearing issues before use. I have used Bose headphones for 2 years without any problems (again never with sound up loud). And I have never listened to any sound source on high volume in order to protect my hearing. I cannot believe the use of the AirPods and the resulting hearing issues are a coincidence.

Dec 1, 2021 9:57 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

Replying to this thread to say I am having the same issue. In disbelief finding this thread.


I have never had tinnitus (at least that I’ve noticed) until I started using AirPods Pro.


I got the Pros approx 2 months ago, using them on and off. I am very conscientious of my volume levels, using the accessibility feature on my phone to monitor dB levels. I wear high end earplugs when I go to concerts.


Roughly two weeks ago, I started using my Pros as earplugs at night for loud footfalls in the apartment above me. I found them most effective with white noise playing at a low volume (50-60dB) and ANC on.


Several days ago I noticed the ringing. Predominately as a pitch so high that it almost registered as a sensation and not so much a sound. Sounds like roughly 13.5 kHz. Left ear has a much more predominant, lower ring, probably around 5kHz.


I spent the past weekend miserable, trying to block out the sound and distract myself. I did not use headphones because I was worried about making it worse, and tried to avoid loud sounds. It seemed to improve over the course of 72 hours or so.


A couple days ago I worked out with my AirPods Pro and sure enough, later that night the ringing was back louder than ever. Almost oppressively, deafeningly loud while trying to sleep, it kept me up almost all night, only getting a couple hours of sleep. Absolutely terrible - incredibly distressing. That is when I made the connection.


I googled and that is what brought me here. I am shocked to see so many people with the same issue.


It sounds crazy but I do think it’s related to the AirPod Pros. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD1 over ear headphones that I have never had an issue with, as well as other headphones I’ve used in the past.


Never a problem until the Pros.


I am now 48 hours out from

last using the AirPod Pros and things are quiet today. The ringing is still there, but seems to be fading. It’s a good day today!


Can’t explain it, and it sounds bizarre, but the Pros are to blame IMO.



Dec 11, 2021 9:04 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

I am experiencing the same issue now and I am really afraid that the ringing will persist even after i stop using my AirPod pro 😢 i will monitor and update this thread after stopping for sometime.


i bought the AirPods in Aug 2020 and did not realise that the ringing in my ears actually started then. Recently the ringing worsened and I experienced sudden hearing loss in either ears that lasts for up to 10s. I got really worried and started googling for ENT doctors on tinnitus, and somehow stumbled upon this thread. After reading through all the similar encounters, i then realised that my ear ringing actually started late last year, after using the AirPods for a few months. I am careful with volume on my AirPods and typically do not exceed 50% of max volume.


i sure hope this does not happen to anyone else. Apple needs to address this.

Dec 11, 2021 9:13 AM in response to yuls_

Update: My tinnitus started soon after I purchased the Airpods and it became noticeable and more disturbing to me back in July 2020. I reduced the amount of use and in 2021 have not used my Airpods at all. My tinnitus is still VERY disturbing and intrusive. It seems to be getting progressively worse. I am extremely concerned this is not a condition that will dissipate and resolve itself, and rather just continue to get worse despite my no longer using the pods at all. I also have visited two ENTs who said I have no visible damage nor other kinds of ear issues. I am convinced that the Airpods caused the tinnitus.

Dec 15, 2021 11:08 AM in response to ESchurr

Just updating on this:


Over the last couple weeks I have dialed back my AirPods Pro usage a great deal and my tinnitus has subsided GREATLY. I don't even notice it most days now.


I tested turning on and off several modes while working out at the gym (noise cancelling, transparency etc) and the culprit is definitely the Noise Cancelling.


I do not have any ringing if I don't use noise canceling. Transparency doesn't seem to affect it.


When I do use noise canceling, I'll lay down to sleep that night and will notice it if it is too quiet.


I've stopped using noise canceling and I am now happily using my Pros with no issues.

AirPods causing tinnitus?

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