AirPods causing tinnitus?

I have noticed this same problem too since using AirPods Pros with my iPhone XR for only about twice a week for an hour each time when I go jogging (so not that much) and listen to podcasts at a very low level (I listen at about 20-25% volume). Let me preface this theory I'm about to give with "I am not an ear doctor" but my rudimentary understanding about noise cancellation is that it emits sound wave frequencies that are working in exact opposite to the general white noise you hear outside. So if you imagine a sound wave drawing that has peaks and dips, if the same sound wave is played to emit a dip where the other has a peak it would create a flat line that would negate the sound frequency (probably a huge oversimplification). So my theory would be that the noise cancellation signal that is emitted includes frequencies that go higher than most human ears can hear (like 20-30khz). So while it negates the background noise it is also providing very high frequencies that may not need cancelling because they are inaudible to most people (younger people can hear higher frequencies). If you get frequencies that are not needing cancelling out your ears would be receiving high frequencies you wouldn't notice but could be possibly damaging after long term exposure. I certainly notice a difference in the ringing of my ears after using the AirPods. I am going to start using them without noise cancellation and see if this helps.

Thanks for your comment! Please update us all as to if using the Pros without the noise cancellation solves the problem. As for me, my tinnitus is still here unfortunately. I returned my Airpod pros for reasons stated in my original post here.

I have been suffering with a high pitched frequency primarily in my right ear but lesser in my left ear for three weeks. I saw the doctor yesterday and he said it was tinnitus but saw no immediate medical signs for the problem and hoped it would resolve on its own. I use my AirPods infrequently, maybe 10 times a month, and when I do, I am careful about controlling sound levels to protect my ears. I wear ear protection when using loud equipment in the kitchen as well. Tonight, when I put my AirPods on, I heard a distinct high pitch sound emit from the right pod for about one second. Now I'm afraid to use it. What if this is what caused little ear hairs to bend or break at the nerve endings and now I just hear this horrible high pitched sound? I don't know what to think or do?

I think your experience has given you your answer. Do not use the AirPod pros! Maybe… Maybe try using them with the noise cancellation turned off. Tinnitus is his permanent. There’s not much room to test the waters.

I am also experiencing this problem too. My ears are ringing a lot and the only correlation I can make is from my one AirPod Pro (left) seems to make this super high pitch frequency that resonates during loud songs but is only noticeable if you actually listen for it. This is obviously the cause of the tinnitus. Apple should be giving compensation for this!!!

Same thing happen to me with airpod pros. Except it started for me when I was just using them for noise cancellation. No music. My hears have a high pitch sound still. They are definitely damaging our ears. And then I’ve used it to watch a few TV shows. Without the noise cancellation. And the same problem there too. These are damaging our ears and someone needs to do something about it I hope.

I hope someone files a class action lawsuit against them for damaging our ears. There is a high pitch sound that comes from these even when not listening to anything. There’s a problem here.

I think we should start making some “noise” and link this forum every where on social media someone talks about the AirPods Pro.

I’m doing that as much as I can on Instagram. We should prevent that someone else get our same problem.

I’ve had the same issue now for over a week. Noticed a high pitch hissing sound more pronounced in my left airpod before the tinnitus started, shortly followed by constant high-pitched ringing after removing the AirPods. Apple, what’s different about the left vs. right AirPod? Like others, having difficulty sleeping at night and the ringing shows no sign of ceasing. Once the ringing started, I stopped using them immediately. Like others, no recent loud concerts or exposure to loud noises. I primarily used the AirPods for work calls and had them at low volume. This is impacting my quality of life significantly. Apple, time to deliver some facts. I‘be be been a loyal customer and shareholder for over a decade, but don’t appreciate being an unwilling participant in product testing. Thank you in advance for taking these posts seriously and dedicating the time and resources to help answer our questions.

I’ve had the same issue since April with ringing when I played music on my AirPods to dancersize to relieve pandemic stress. I didn’t think the music was all that loud. Two days afterwards upon awakening I noticed a high pitched ringing in both ears but the left one was louder. This was so upsetting as I’m a vocalist and drummer and have always used ear protection when performing and I’ve never had an issue before. So this has been a real anathema to me.

But my research shows that T is curable as there are many that have had noise trauma and come out if it using certain healing methods. As a result of this noise trauma I no longer use AirPods. Since I’ve stopped using them I’ve been experiencing small moments of silence which is hopeful especially during relaxation or meditation. I can’t publish any of my own findings on healing here due to Apples policies. Just do your research. I’m hoping Apple will find a way to address this situation as this certainly is a health hazard and very debilitating to ones’s health and welfare.

I had similar experience with my airpods and i started noticing the sounds in my bedroom and closet and bathroom. I thought it was my neighbor with a muffled speaker playing music for weeks and even asked them about it. I went outside to hear the sounds thinking it was some far off low frequency noise. One day I was in my car and it was very quiet since I was at a park. And I heard the exact same noise. It was then I had to start reframing this idea of the source of the sound was INTERNAL not EXTERNAL. Now it makes total sense the noise was in my right ear and I could only hear it in silent areas of my house. And it was very persistent. And sometimes two frequencies were there and sometimes it was chaotic. with a intermittence of silence for a few seconds. this has gone on for six months. Now it has become more faint but I know its there and sometimes I think it stopped and I wait to see if its gone and eventually it starts again on some random intermittent cycle. I lost my airpods and it almost feels like fate taking them away from me because I was still using them for exercise only and not all the time like before. Now I am airpod free and I have moved on from the idea of having these things in my ear. I will wear regular headphones if I ever need to use them again. I am hopeful this sound in my ear will eventually fade out...

You have what’s technically called Tinnitus. If it’s fading that’s a good sign. Since using AirPods I’ve have the same issue. I stopped using them and I now use air tube headphones which block the electrical signal from hitting the ears. Not as great sounding as regular earphones but at least I’m allowing my inner ears and brain synapses to heal.

Hi All: I posted here a few months ago about my tinnitus issue with Apple's AirPods Pro. I wanted them mainly for noise cancelling while I slept, but on the morning after the third night wearing them overnight I had a very distinct high pitch ringing in my ears. It was very distinct and unlike any other morning after waking up. It was like someone walking beside me with a high pitch tuning fork beside my ears. I immediately stopped using them - returned them to Amazon - and received a full refund. The noise cancelling feature worked great - but not at the expense of tinnitus - which can become permanent. If you experience any sign of high pitch ringing in your ears then stop using the AirPods immediately. I thought they would be OK as I always use my Bose noise cancelling over-ear headphones on overseas flights of up to 17 hours (no flights recently) and have had zero issues with them. I'm fine now and the high pitch ringing in my ears subsided after a couple of weeks of not using the AirPods.

Hi, everyone,

I’ve also stopped using Apple iPods although I still do use their iPhone with a flip cover case that reduces the WiFi radiation signal and keeps it away from my body.

I’ve been reading a lot about Bluetooth and the electrical signal that it uses to carry the power through the air. This is a form of microwave so it stands to reason this may be interfering with the neuro electrical signals in the brain which in turn causes tinnitus as the electrical pathway is being interrupted and you’re hearing your own electrical signals trying to communicate. As a result of my research I also no longer use anything Bluetooth or even a cordless phone.

I’ve used my new AirPods Pro for around 15 minutes in total and I’ve now got permanent high pitched noise in my left ear. I could hear it when the AirPods were in the ears but I found that by changing the tips to small the noise seemed to go away. I’m not going to use them again until I get rid of the noise and then with trepidation. I’ve been using Urbanista pods for over two years without any problems.

Steve

I feel your pain. I hope it fades over time and Apple addresses this issue. I’ve written three comments and Apple has not replied. I’m still having ringing 24/7 but less during the day as it recedes if I stay preoccupied. It’s loudest at night. There are certain vitamin supplements that I heard about through several people who healed their T which I’m taking now. I believe if given a chance the body will heal eventually. Let’s hope other people don’t succumb to this malady like we have from using a product that was supposed to give us pleasure.