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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

Top-ranking reply

thofli

Level 1

15 points

Posted on Jan 26, 2021 10:23 AM

I've owned Apple AirPod Pro's for about a year now. I primarily use them for work conference calls (3 - 4 hours every day). I also listen to music sometimes (classical or movie soundtracks), but not at high levels. About a month ago, I developed tinnitus in both ears. I have a very high pitch ringing sound in my right ear, which varies in intensity and a lower pitch varied ringing in both my ears. I've been to my primary care provider, an ENT and had my hearing tested. My ears and hearing are perfectly normal, except for the tinnitus. At its worst, I couldn't sleep for four days. It was horrible. So I stopped using the AirPod Pro's all together for several weeks and my tinnitus significantly improved, but it hasn't gone away entirely. In particular, the varied ringing I hear in both ears almost completely went away (it drastically reduced in volume) and the very high pitch ring in my right ear seemed to come and go. I had days where it was gone entirely. With things improving, I recently started using the AirPod Pro's again for work conference calls (2 - 3 hours per day). My tinnitus is now back again, just as it originally started. I'm not looking for medical advice, but I wanted to share my experience since others are having similar issues. For me, it's not hearing loss induced tinnitus since my hearing is perfectly normal. In my opinion, there does seem to be a correlation between wearing the AirPod Pro's and increased tinnitus symptoms. Since everything has been checked out by doctors and audiologists, I do think the AirPods Pro's either caused or majorly contributed to the ringing I'm currently experiencing in my ears. I do think perhaps it's something with their ANC technology. I love Apple products, but I won't be wearing the AirPod Pro's anymore. I do hope at some point Apple addresses this issue since there are a number of people reporting same or similar problems. For those suffering from tinnitus, there are some great tracks on YouTube that really help mask the ringing sound. I'm happy to share the ones that I've found helpful. Best of luck!

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623 replies

Feb 7, 2022 6:00 AM in response to BB_10

BB_10 wrote:

Has there still been no response from Apple? Clearly there is a serious problem. 29 pages of the same/similar complaint.

This is a user-to-user forum. Apple's participation here is minimal. They don't respond here to complaints.

You can let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Aug 23, 2023 2:09 PM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

I just found this thread. I opened my own thread here: AirPods Pro & Tinnitus - Reversable? - Apple Community

In it I laid out a timeline of events.

Tuesday: Got AirPod Pro 2s as a gift (was very excited to use them as I had been running a lot)

Friday: Noticed a ringing in my ears, but not that bad (like a 1-2)

Monday: Ringing was worse and not going away; called the audiologist (like a 3-4)

Friday: Audiologist found that I lost some upper ranges, but I'm in my upper 40s and not abnormal, everything else looked great.

Monday: Got off the phone with a friend after a 45 minute conversation. Took the AirPods out and the ringing shot up to a 7 . And that's when it hit me that it was AirPods causing it.

Tuesday: stopped using the AirPods completely and started to take Lipo Flavonoid

Wednesday (today). Back to 3-4. Hoping the trend continues and will be back to a 1 or lower by the end of the week (or two).

All in all, in a two week span these have really affected me for the worse. I know this thread is probably the 0.1% but Apple sells a lot of AirPods, so I'm sure there is a lot more that are affected.

Also, there is a Class Action Suite started. Look up Schmidt Law and you can sign up.

Gl4th

Level 1

9 points

Feb 11, 2021 7:04 AM in response to Jomi_

After 1 year since AirPods Pro caused my tinnitus, it is somehow changed, but it's not gone. Now:

There are days when I have no tinnitus
When I have it, it is quieter

There is not a "standard" cure, not a definitive remedy. Probably time will heal our ears, I hope so!

ESchurr

Level 1

8 points

Dec 1, 2021 11:26 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I have not visited an ENT over the issue yet but definitely will if the issue persists or worsens. ENTs cannot detect tinnitus (with the exception of objective tinnitus) so the diagnosis process is basically "Do you hear ringing in your ears?" and from there they will try to suss out an underlying cause, whether that be hearing loss, impacted wax, jaw issues etc.

This thread is mostly just interesting to me because it is one of a few things:

A large case study in confirmation bias among a subset of AirPods Pro owners suddenly discovering they actually have tinnitus and mistakenly noticing patterns between AirPods usage and symptom onset/intensity through the power of suggestion between one another
AirPods having some design trait that can exacerbate or cause tinnitus, and commonalities in a subset of the population who are susceptible to it (whether that be temporary or permanent)
Folks genuinely not realizing how loud is too loud and actually giving themselves tinnitus with their AirPods, regardless of their claims of responsible usage habits

If the problem worsens or persists and I feel like it needs treatment, an ENT visit will be in order and I'll follow up here. Although, as more time passes between my last AirPods use, it does seem to improve.

I'd like to wait a couple weeks and try using the AirPods again to see if the problem returns, but there would be no way to verify if I'd just be having symptoms again via placebo effect, and I'm not sure it's worth the risk of increased tinnitus, perceived or real.

Vincee95

Level 1

8 points

Mar 30, 2023 4:42 PM in response to tessanicole444

Again, it is not damaging your hearing. There are two options;

Your low volume is not as low as you think for using it for a few hours. A few hours is a lot!
Silence is created, resulting in your brain hearing and amplifying tinnitus.

Saying that blabla Airpods this Airpods that then you just jump to conclusions about a subject you know nothing about.

MKMA11

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2020 6:31 AM in response to jrccsi

They should do more than refund you. They should apologize and hope that users don’t file a class action law suit. Apple should be testing this thoroughly.

Lets see if my comment gets removed.

Sep 7, 2020 6:06 PM in response to Mark Stutzman

Yes , particularly in the left ear. About 3 moths by now, doesn't stop even for a second.

If someone has found the cure- please share it here. Thank you

Gl4th

Level 1

9 points

Jan 4, 2021 5:57 AM in response to MacbookProRetinaGuy

Mine started in late February 2020, and even if it is less audible (lower volume), and less present (not every day, 24h), it is still present.

As some other mentioned some kind of attention in what you eat and less stress can help, BUT remember that in this way you are getting remedies for the symptoms, not for the cause of such illness.