skin irratations and itchy ears from powerbeats pro wireless

i bought em as soon as they came out.

noticed the same problem as soon as I started using them.

However, it wasn’t too bad at the beginning, but over the bad year it has gotten really bad and started experiencing all the symptoms mentioned by other (the crazy itch, the flakes in the ear, the discharge)

I’m at my doctor’s office right now and he diagnosed it as allergy eczema to whatever type of silicone apple using in the ear tips.

Prescribed medicine, told me to see if can replace the tips with different type.

I’m really disheartened to see this has been an issue since the products come out. I initially bought my my PBPs because other in ear headphones don’t stay securely on. Always thought my ears are too small for other designs. I was so excited they work great, connect well with all my devices, stayed charged long enough to do work calls and work out on one charge BUT I immediately noticed an irritation after my second use. I thought it was due to the attachment part being too large for my ear, switch down to the smallest possible and still had issues. Then I realized it wasn’t the attachment part it was the larger in ear part that was making me super itchy, again I thought it was too large and stretching my ear.

After doing one search I see this has been ongoing for over a year with thousands of cases. It didn’t occur to me that the material itself was causing the reaction not the size.

I’ve had contact dermatitis on my hands as an ongoing issue for years now. I’ve had to completely change my routines, get steroid creams, wear gloves when doing dishes, gloves when cutting vegetables, and frequently have itching burning sensations without knowing what I’ve touched to cause the issue. To say the least I’m not willing to start dealing with this on my ears.

As an FYI to others I bought mine through Walmart, just checked their return policy and you have 90 days from purchase for return or exchange of an item. I’ve had mine maybe three weeks and don’t plan to see if my ears adjust, I’ve read enough to see it’s not going to get better, I’ll be returning mine is soon as possible.

I too have had the same issues. I would clean the earpiece and hook with an alcohol pad before and after use. I would get severe drainage from both ears, not use them for a week and my ears would get better. This happens after each use. I honestly believe it’s the material used in the earpiece. I switched out the earpiece with a knock-off brand and my ears feel great. It’s disappointing when you pay for a good product and you end up going to an ENT because you have no idea what’s happening. Apple should redesign the earpiece with a different material- do the right thing and all.

I bought my Powerbeats Pros (PBPs) in June 2019 and used them intermittently for a few months and don't remember any problems, but later on when I started to use them more regularly and for longer periods I noticed the maddeningly itchy ears, the clear liquid discharge and the peeling skin. It got really bad and eventually I couldn't use them any more. I tried a test whereby I waited a couple of weeks until my ears cleared up, had my skin checked as normal by my doctor, put the PBPs in for 4 hours (they itched like crazy after 2 hours), and then had my doctor look at my ears right afterwards, and she confirmed contact dermatitis from wearing the PBPs.

I contacted Apple, described the problem, sent photos like these...

... sent doctors' reports about contact dermatitis after wearing them, etc. but all to no avail.

Too bad, because other than those problems they are certainly the best in-ear 'phones I have ever had, and besides the great sound quality, I especially like the ear hooks because my ear shape just doesn't hold onto any of the other in-ear 'phones I have tried over the years. I thought I had finally found the earphones I've been looking for for years! But no...

My theory is that Apple used a nano-coating to sweatproof the PBPs and that's what is causing the terrible skin reaction. I would be really pleased if a) Apple would acknowledge and seriously address this problem, and b) produce new PBPs without the sweatproof nano-coating to see if that solves the problem. The design is great, but the execution of the design is badly flawed and in my estimation, the fact that the company seems not to be interested in dealing with the problem hurts Apple's reputation. Surely the world's richest corporation should be willing to go the extra mile to help loyal customers like me (since 1991!)

By the way, there's a long but now-archived discussion about this problem on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/powerbeatspro/comments/d1m3w3/allergic_to_powerbeats_pro/?sort=new

No solution!

Today I just got the final "sorry, still not our problem" from our caring friends at Apple after opening a case in spring 2020 and having been treated with the "runaround" for almost a year. Spoken to 10 people. Sent bills from 3 doctors visits, descriptions, changed silicone buds to other brands, cleaned them, thuroughly taped the hoop, used creams, the works. No luck, reaction appears within an hour and irritation/scaling remains for 2-3 weeks after I stop using them. So I have stopped permanently. Obviouly the PBP are at fault. It does not feel right to sell them and just forward the problem.

Anyway, first Apple's escalation-"technicians" concluded it was beacuse I "had not cleaned them", then they said I had to "talk to the shop that sold them", now they say "oh yeah, the materials can cause reaction" but that they are not at fault and it has been written on the website that some materials can cause a reaction. (Which means they can do whatever they like and not be blamed since they "warned me".)

These are some aggressive materials. Never had anything remotely similar with any other products. Never been allergic before. And certainly not to any other in-ear headphones, even sweating.

This apple is rotten. Stay away.

I stopped using my PBP and my ears have cleared up ok. I currently have an alternative brand but if they are not charged i wear my Wife's PBP.'s After an hour or two's use - my ears start weeping again. Stop using them and buy another brand and your ear's should heal up.

Hi Jayz,

It's many months ago that I started my own (successful) process that got me a refund. As I remember I simply got in touch with Apple support, explained the problem, and eventually spoke with a succession of agents (or whatever they're called) and finally I got to someone who then began the real process of gathering "evidence" which included answering questions about my particular issues and sending in photos of my ears, doctor's reports etc. It took a fair amount of back and forth and, when that stage was over, there was a wait of six weeks or so until my refund arrived. Now that so many people like us have reported the problem, I would hope that Apple has streamlined the process of getting a refund, but as I've said a number of times in this discussion, what I really would like Apple to do is produce a new version of the PBPs that won't irritate my ears, because I still think the PBPs are a great design and I would buy another (non-itchy) pair in a second. But so far, Apple has remained silent about the problem and have not produced a new version of the PBPs. Anyway, good luck with your process. It will take awhile but be patient and stick with it.

As I mentioned above I’m using the spare tips from Jabra Elite Sport, they’re not exact fit, but so far they’re working fine.

If you had a powerbeat 2 or 3, their tips should perfectly fit the pro.

Otherwise, do a search on eBay or google PBP ear tips you should have a whole listing of aftermarket tips both foam and silicone.

We be continued to update Apple. They are going to return them to Ireland to be looked at. We shall see. I have the same issues with my skin around in and on the ears. No other earphones in 30 years have done this. I’ve taken it up with my Doctor too. He says it’s something they are having to see more of, in , particular apple beats and AirPod pros. I’m on my second change of prescription to deal with this.

Keep this discussion informed of outcomes etc.

Continue reaching out to Apple. I received a refund for my Pro Beats after 3-4 months. I remained consistent. I also tweeted Beats By Dre on Twitter. These products continue to be sold. I now only wear Apple earphones, wired. 🤦🏽‍♀️ I’m afraid to try anything new.

I’m back using mine now guys, without any significant issues.

i followed my doctor’s instructions:

1- stopped using them for a week.

2- used over the counter topical cortisone.

3- replaced the tips themselves with aftermarket generic ones.

4- keep the cortisone handy, whenever I notice any irritation I use it.

best of luck to you all...stay safe.

It’s the metal they put in their plastics. Look at it on Redit. Don’t wear them, i lost hearing in one ear and they won’t even refund me for the purchase of the beats much less my multiple medical bills and kept my headphones when i sent them in and requested them back after the denied my reimbursement.

After finding this discussion I contacted Apple who actually seem to be taking this quite seriously, although not very quickly. I described the issue I was having then was asked some questions (how long I wear the earphones, how I clean then, what symptoms I have, how long the symptoms last etc) I was then asked to send pictures of the irritation I was experiencing and pictures of me wearing the earphones. After over a week Apple contacted me and asked me to return the earphones and case. They are sending packing materials for me to do this. There has been no mention of compensation or a refund. I assume they want to examine them.

I would encourage you to do the same so that Apple is forced to acknowledge this issue. They are damaging themselves by making a great product unusable for a significant number of people.

I’ve previously posted on this thread and now have an update. I contacted Apple on the 21st May. Initially they seemed very helpful but I had to make lots of calls to chase and spoke to about 6 different agents. Long story short I had to send pictures of my ears and of the PowerBeats. I then had to return them to Apple. I’ve just had a call to say that Apple will be issuing me with a refund on receipt of proof of purchase.

I have had a similar experience as this. Ok for the first few months and then very serious dermatological reaction inside and around back of the ear. It took about 3 weeks and strong steroids on prescription to deal with issue. When I tried the Powerbeats pros again the stinging and rash came back after only about 30-40 mins wear. I have only just researched the issue and found very similar cases in the Reddit post and this site. I have contacted Apple and they have taken the issue seriously and taken a full note and photos of the ears and pods. The problem seems to be after a few months of wearing even when cleaned regularly. The inflammation on the outside of the ear is really painful and a kind of burning or stinging sensation. The inflammation in the ear is worse. I am going to the doctors again if and when COVID 19 allows but will speak with my GP to advise. This is such a serious problem from my reading that possibly a group of people with similar problems should provide This information to doctors with coordinated approach as no other in ear earphones have ever given such a reaction. To my experience these are potentially able to cause serious harm to your ears through wear.

i hope Apple will take clear note of this issue as befits a diligent customer focused company. We shall see.