Allergic to AirPod Pro eartips

I am having ear drainage when using my new AirPods pro.has anyone else experienced this problem?


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Posted on Nov 27, 2019 3:31 PM

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I purchased the AirPod pros and also had an allergic reaction to the silicone tips. I definitely would recommend that if anyone experiences itching they stop using this as it may be that there is an allergy to the tips. Follow up with a dr if unsure to avoid an ear infection.

Posted on Dec 20, 2019 10:06 AM

2,087 replies

Mar 16, 2021 8:04 AM in response to iLights15

I also use the Damon silicone covers plus I changed the silicone tips to just a third party brand. Since I tried both at the same time I can’t tell which helped me. I didn’t want to experiment after this helped. The silicone skins are a little tricky to put on because they are so thin. I bought them in white so you can’t even see them. I’ve suggested them before about three times with Amazon links and no one ever responded on this discussion so I’m glad to see someone else writing about them.

Mar 16, 2021 8:31 AM in response to Bongo2000

According to Apple the AAP’s I had we’re series 2/version2. At least that’s what they said when they checked my serial number. So if that’s true then nothing changed in the manufacturing process. I had a reaction to mine with the original ear tips and months later a foam version I replaced the original tips with. I sent my AAP,s back to Apple and am waiting for a refund

Mar 17, 2021 2:48 PM in response to Edwin Ashley

Here is what work on for me (at least for now)


1/ Clean your AirPods Pro with soap/hand-wash or anything that would not irritate your ear. Make sure you clean the tips, the body and the inside of the case.

2/ Take out your AirPods Pro and leave the case open for a few days.


I have been using the APP for a few days without any problems. Hope it will work for you as well.

Mar 18, 2021 5:18 PM in response to Edwin Ashley

I’m so glad I found this forum - add me to the list! I got the AirPods Pro for Christmas and have used them on and off since but just now put 2 and 2 together that they are the cause of my ear issues. I noticed I would sometimes get a watery discharge and flakiness in my ears but didn’t know what was causing it. Then last month it got much worse - all the symptoms mentioned here. Itchiness, fluid in ears, crustiness, redness, pressure in ears, changed hearing. Went to ENT and he cleaned them out and prescribed hydrocortisone and acetic acid drops which cleared it up. Not realizing it was the AirPods that was causing this, I used them yesterday for an hour for a work meeting and the second I took them out my ears started burning and itching and shortly after, the watery fluid and crust returned. Now I know for sure that’s what’s causing this. Luckily I still had the ear drops and just started using them again. ENT said perhaps it’s something in the materials we are all reacting to? I don’t know, but this is troublesome and I hope something gets done about this. Incredible that so many of us have had similar experiences and ears and hearing are not something to take lightly! Will be contacting Apple and hope we can get something to change.

Mar 18, 2021 5:39 PM in response to wander1ust

Hey all! Wanted to give an update. Finally after about 5 months of working on getting a refund for the APPs I received my refund check today.

The history...noticed ear issues in October after wearing them for 3 mos. I contacted Apple Support in November. Sent photos and had 4 interviews with an advisor. In December they sent me a return shipping label and I mailed the APPs back in later December. As said above received the refund today.

It’s certainly a process to get a refund. Be patient is the only advice that I have. Good luck!!

Mar 18, 2021 6:07 PM in response to mikki1976

A few days ago, I finally decided I’d tried everything I know how to try and called Apple. The first guy transferred me to a safety specialist (I think that’s what they called it). He asked the initial questions. Once that was done, he said that he completely understands and shared that he’s going through the same thing with his APPs. Said he doesn’t understand it either. Said that this is nearly his entire job - he takes call after call of literally just this. Takes the interview responses back to the engineering team, who then has follow-up questions and asks for details from the doctor visit (medications, pictures, etc.). But yeah, he said he gets how frustrating it is, and wanted me to know I’m not alone (I told him that there was a thread here with nearly a hundred pages of responses full of people having the same issues). But it was surprising to me to hear that this guy’s entire day is taking these calls. Every day, day in and day out. And Apple still hasn’t addressed it. Crazy.


I have yet to receive a verdict from engineering. I didn’t have any pictures from back when it was terrible in January. I told him I wasn’t willing to re-affect my ears just to give them pics. He said that’s totally fine, just take a pic of them today. So, I did. Who knows what will happen? I also uploaded my chart from my two ENT visits earlier this year with her diagnosis and medications prescribed, so I assume they will understand that it was bad at one point. Guess I’ll find out.

Mar 21, 2021 9:39 AM in response to Edwin Ashley

I also am experiencing this issue. When it first happened, I suspected the AirPods Pro. Two doctors evaluated me, but it required a third, an ENT specialist, to diagnose a fungus. He treated the fungus and it resolved. I started to wonder if it was really the AirPods Pro, which I had given away. I bought another pair. Same problem with less than an hour of use. I am currently experiencing a clear-ish fluid coming out of both ears. Hearing is somewhat blocked in the left ear. Going to see if it improves over the next 24 hours. Contacting Apple Support now.


Mar 21, 2021 9:47 AM in response to 7om

I contributed to this thread many weeks ago after my ears had cleared up through drops from the doctors and discovered that my ear issue may have been caused by the APP.


For months my ears have been clear and Ive been using Beats Studio 3 wireless headphones.


Two weeks ago I tried the APP again and within an air my ears were experiencing clear fluid runs. I phoned the doctors and was advised to stop using them. Within a week ears resolved themselves.


You would have thought by now apple would accept there are issues for some and just accept they need to be returned. As my ears have cleared up again Im not willing to cause issues again and go against my doctors advise. This means Im stuck with the APP as I cannot provide proof my ears suffered.


I purchased direct from the Apple store not through some third party but with stores closed at the moment I cant go in and raise concern but will be doing as soon as retail opens up.

Mar 21, 2021 11:30 AM in response to Edwin Ashley

Wow - I'm so happy to learn that I'm not the only one experiencing this. The allergic reaction has not been easy to deal with, and I had to see the doctor. I put the AirPods (pro) aside for a long time (3/4 of a year), and have only used them for less than an hour twice since then. Both times the allergy was immediately triggered.


I was very happy with the AirPods, but unhappy with Apple not providing an option for all those having this unfortunate experience and simply cannot understand how they can ignore such a magnitude of users having this issue.



Mar 21, 2021 4:30 PM in response to flyingnorwegian

I’ve been on the phone with Apple 3 times today. The second and third times have included a battery of questions about the condition. They want to call me again tonight. It is a bit time consuming, but I do encourage everyone with this condition to contact Apple Support. You can start with the chat and then they will get someone to call you when they realize it is a medical issue.

Allergic to AirPod Pro eartips

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