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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

Jul 15, 2022 5:26 AM in response to Befromlondon

If anyone needs advice on this issue, this forum will offer tips and advice from many other tinnitus sufferers: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/


Please note this is not a replacement for sound professional advice from an ENT doctor. Im fairly sure nobody would advise in-ear headphones as a good option for tinnitus sufferers, so please try to look into this with proportion.

Jul 30, 2022 10:04 PM in response to thofli

Looking at all the answers and this detailed experience, I now think it might be due to the seal created by AirPods pro.

The silicone fits so tight that it completely blocks any airflow through the ear.

While that is good for noise canceling, I guess it's not good for the interiors of the ears as they might stay moist.

I have noticed myself using earbuds or just picking my ears more frequently when using air pods.

I think all this has something to do with tinnitus.

I highly doubt it's the noise canceling though as all ANC headphones (not buds) use similar technology and they never gave me tinnitus.

Note: I am not a doctor, just trying to speculate some root causes for AirPods manufacturers to think about.

Aug 6, 2022 12:55 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

I rarely wear ear phones, but wanted something to listen to YouTube videos and Netflix while I washed the dishes and not bother my family. I have been wearing the Airpods for less than two weeks and I have ringing and wooshing sounds in my ears now. I tried using the bigger eartips, but it's the same thing. I have barely used these things and think I have tinnitus now. I hope it goes away. Glad this post exists so others can see they are not alone.

Aug 16, 2022 10:06 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

I had already posted twice over last year and this year, its time for an update: I don't believe the Airpods gave me tinnitus.


After trying the Airpods Pro in 2021, my T did increase yes, but it went back down, until I got anxious about other things possibly giving me T and it went up again. I sold my pros, and somehow got it into my mind that wireless earbuds are harming me. Suddenly, every wireless earbud I put into my ears increased my T. Everyone. Even ones that did nothing before. I stuck using wired earbuds for a year, until I faced my fears and tried wireless again. The first week was tough, but after a while the T remained at the same level. No effect. Last week, I was abroad and bought the Airpods 3. No ANC, just earphones. They did nothing to me. Until I started getting anxious and remembered this and other threads, and suddenly my T spiked again.


In my case, I think it is anxiety. Even when I wear the airpods in one ear only, the other ear whistles as well. This is anxiety and a nocebo effect. I don't think wireless earbuds are harming us.

Aug 26, 2022 4:55 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

After my partner gave me AirPods as a gift, I noticed increasing and consistent tinnitus, despite keeping volumes very low and living in a consistently quiet environment. It became worse whenever I used the AirPods.


I stopped using my AirPods entirely and the tinnitus disappeared after two months. When visiting relatives, I used them a few times on work calls and the tinnitus immediately returned.


The technology appears to be faulty. I believe Apple, its competitors and regulators need to take these complaints seriously, as evidence of a possible public health risk.



Sep 25, 2022 4:30 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

I have had tinnitus for many years, but after using my air buds to watch a series on my iPad, I noticed it had gotten so much worse and there is no treatment for it. So, my suggestion is, don't use earbuds too often to listen to music or watch TV, if you already suffer from ringing in your ears. It will definitely make it worse and you cannot reverse it. :(


Sep 28, 2022 8:21 AM in response to Aunkfromteaneck

The sheer frequency of additional comments (5-6 per month) on this thread indicates that the air pods pose a significant hazard to ear health.

I am not a doctor but I think the air-tight seal created by some of these devices (especially air pods pro) causes moisture built up in the ears and then eventually results in problems like tinnitus.

The only solution I have found on this so far is not to keep wearing them for a long duration. I have started actively removing them as soon as I am done with them (usually 15-30 mins use) and my tinnitus has completely gone away!

I use headphones for watching movies etc now, only occasional extended use of air pods.


The only problem I have with apple and other companies now is their marketing strategy of portraying these devices as usable for long times in a stretch, which is evidently bad for ear health!

I think if they want to do it, that should be with a warning.



Hope this helps everyone going through the problem.

Sep 29, 2022 4:19 AM in response to Joseph_S.

interestingly enough, I noticed this after I started using airpods pro, and I only use one airpod (mostly the right). One day, my ears were clogged due to allergies, and usually this goes away after a few hrs. I noticed that my right ear never got unclogged. after going to the ENT, he had no solution and said it's likely due to allergies. I just find it curious that now there is tinnitus in the same ear. I don't listen to music - usually only podcasts. coincidence? maybe. I also find it curious that it's the same sound as the noise cancelling sound, and that I'm not alone

Sep 29, 2022 8:08 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

AirPods Pro (1st gen) used with noise cancelling every day at work (with caution not to use at high volume). An echoing / crackling (addressed in the "AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues") began in January 2022, and in February, I noticed the tinnitus. Since listening to the AirPods is annoying (due to the echoing) I haven't used them since March, but the ringing persists. I haven't been exposed to any loud noises.


As noted in other comments, it's very difficult for anyone to determine the source of tinnitus. Every possible scenario ends with "You can't really expect that to cause a ringing in your head." -- But something caused it, and there's nearly 2000 experiences on here agreeing that this may have been it.

Oct 4, 2022 11:00 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

I have been using my AirPod Pros for about 3 months now. Yesterday, after wearing them for a short (2 hour) flight with Active Noise Cancelation enabled, I suddenly have a persistent, loud ringing in one of my ears. Additionally, it feels as if there is a pressure in my ear that was not there before.


Like you, I am very concerned with the volume of anything I listen to on my headphones. I monitor my volume with Headphone Safety, and carry ear plugs in my pockets should I be in a real world situation with heightened noise levels. I was tested by an audiologist within the last year and had no issues with my hearing at the time.


Having read through some of the comments here and in other forums, it seems like many other people are experiencing this same issue from the AirPod Pros.

AirPods causing tinnitus?

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