AirPods causing tinnitus?

Bought my 1st AirPods 2 weeks ago and had used them so far for only one phone conversation. Last night for first time I went to sleep with pod in left ear only, no music, only noise cancellation on (right ear on pillow). Soon I noticed odd ringing sound in my right ear but I paid no attention and fell asleep with AirPod in left ear. At 2 am I awoke with complete loss of hearing in my right ear and with what I think is tinnitus. The only possible cause is use of the AirPod. Going for emergency hearing test today and probably steroid treatment. Apple, please take this seriously. I am in good health and my hearing was excellent until this event.

yep fell asleep with Noise canceling on Airpods max and woke up about 2am-3am with ringing in both ears like crazy. But your situation is terrible yo. This happened 2 weeks after I bought my Max. Unfortunately apple will not take anything seriously that makes them more money. On the somewhat bright side, you can buy more apple air pods and use them to enhance your hearing with the new ironic hearing enhancement feature they showcased this year. They will make money either way. This is crazy stuff.

Last week I used my AirPods Pro to listen to some music while on a flight, and during takeoff, my right ear started hurting that I had to take out the AirPod completely. I’ve never had problems with cabin pressure changes, and have used various in-ear and over-ear headphones, with and without noise cancellation during flights. The next day after that flight, I used my AirPods Pro again for a couple of hours, in Transparency mode while walking around town, but my hearing on my right side is now slightly muffled and I’m getting ringing in my right ear. I don’t listen to my music loud, and according to my Apple Health headphone audio levels, it’s been an average of 50-60 dB, well within the safe range for hearing. It’s been going for several days and I’ve got an appointment to see a doctor about it.

Since that incident, I’ve done a bit of testing and experimentation, and discovered that if I have both AirPods in my ears, turn on Noise Cancellation but with no audio playing, and push them both as far as they go, I hear a very low frequency rumble that gradually increases in volume on the right side. I stopped after a few seconds as I do not want to aggravate the problem or damage my hearing any further. This also happens with Transparency mode, but to a lesser degree, but not when NC is turned off completely.

I had previously encountered a sensation of fatigue or ‘pressure’ after using my AirPods Pro, particularly after using them for Zoom/Hangouts meetings. At the time I had just assumed it was either earwax built-up, or the low bitrate audio quality of online meeting software. That sensation would go away after a few hours, but this time, it’s been several days and I’m getting concerned.

I suspect my AirPods Pro are faulty, and the Noise Cancellation microphones or internal circuitry is boosting the noise cancelling frequencies to possibly dangerous levels, while regular audio remains at a safe volume. When I did the same test with my partner’s AirPods Pro, I did not get the same ramp up of the low frequency rumble. I’ve asked him to compare the two and he too can hear the difference between my pair and his own, so it’s not just me.

I just hope this tinnitus is temporary and I haven’t damaged my hearing permanently.

I am certain that the noise cancellation function or some other function of Air/Earpods has caused this disturbing ringing in my left ear most heavily, but I experience it in both ears. I had my ears checked by an audiologist and an ENT. No wax build up or structural deformities. I presume the hairs or some other auditory function has been damaged by Airpod use, which I believe has fully caused my tinnitus, after longterm use of both Earpods and AirpPods. Still no change in my tinnitus after I stopped using both for more than three months so far.

There are a batch of APP manufactured before 2020 that are faulty. Get them replaced at the Genius Bar if it’s still in warranty. It’s a known fault. I dont use them with NC or transparency because i don’t trust them. Since I paid for the APP I’ll use them on ‘off’until they knacker out. This is the last time I’ll be buying AirPods of any kind.

I too have experienced this. I bought Airpods 2 from Cost Co around April/May 2021. I started having tinnitus mid-June 2021. I don't listen to it really loudly, mostly for meetings and videos.. I regret buying. It hasn't stopped as I write this post.

Exactly same has happend.. I went to ENT - no wax build up or no deformities.. ENT was impressed with my audio test. He said it's perfect! However, use of Airpods has caused tinnitus. Is there a way to notify Apple?

At no point are audio levels unsafe during use. The problem is the faulty ANC function which is causing tinnitus in consumers. There’s clearly a problem as ENTs are advising the public to stay away from AirPods and other ANC headphones.

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.

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.

Maybe you should try headphones?

But tbh thats not good bc tinnitus can cause deafness in the worst case of course

I’m using earpods more than 6 years and haven’t notice that maybe thats bc of volume not specifically earpods

Any way you probably should see you doctor soon and do a complete audiological evaluation

Maybe you should try headphones?

But tbh thats not good bc tinnitus can cause deafness in the worst case of course

I’m using earpods more than 6 years and haven’t notice that maybe thats bc of volume not specifically earpods

Any way you probably should see you doctor soon and do a complete audiological evaluation

Jujeee wrote:

But tbh thats not good bc tinnitus can cause deafness in the worst case of course

It would seem that is not the case:

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-severe-tinnitus-can-interfere-with-hearing-but-doesnt-cause-hearing-loss/

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.

Maybe you should try headphones? But tbh thats not good bc tinnitus can cause deafness in the worst case of course I’m using earpods more than 6 years and haven’t notice that maybe thats bc of volume not specifically earpods Any way you probably should see you doctor soon and do a complete audiological evaluation