skin irratations and itchy ears from powerbeats pro wireless

I have been dealing with Apple since March and they finally emailed me a return label so I can return my headphones for a refund but I had to contact them to send me another one because it had the wrong address. It had my old address. So this has not been resolved. It makes me laugh cause they keep saying that they have never heard of any other complaints like this.

I've also heard that from several advisors. I know Apple is a huge company, but surely word must get around among the staff. It would be interesting to find out just how many cases like ours there have been, but I guess we'll likely never know.

I've had the same issue, took me 3-4 different attempts (separated by 6-10 days for the irritation and fluid to clear up) to narrow it down to my powerbeats. Apple was very helpful (although it was a long and tedious multiple phone call process) to get them returned and refunded. I thought I had a defective pair so I replaced them with another color and unfortunately had the same issue on first use.

I'm wondering if the newest version of the traditional power beats are made from the same material? I'd like to replace the pro with the traditional version if possible since I love these headphones, even though its a huge bummer to not be able to use the pro version, but not sure if it's worth the risk for a 3rd time. Been using the power beats to workout since they originally came out but thinking I might have to switch brands and try something else at this point.

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I want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your AirPods Pro. I recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Contact Apple Support

PJ, I've been assured by my advisor that I can buy a pair of PowerBeats 4 (the new PowerBeats that are virtually the same design shape as the PBPs), try them out for up to 2 weeks, and return them for a refund if the same problem occurs. I'm planning to do so myself when the COVID situation is less dodgy.

I had a horrible reaction. Weeping from ears, crustiness in inner ear, outer ear peeled, eczema, pain, etc after less than 30 minutes of usage. Cleaned them with alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Left them alone for awhile and just tried for 10 minutes and I have same symptoms. What a horrible waste of money.

I’m having the same issue as everyone else. I had put the bud in my right ear for a bit while listening to an audiobook for about 30-45 minutes, and then started experiencing itching, liquid coming out of my ears, which became crusty scabs. So the next day I put the left earbud in instead - same reaction. My ears are red, irritated, swollen, and sore/painful to lay on. It’s been days now, and due to COVID-19, I’m avoiding my doctors office. Because they need to look inside my ear, a virtual appointment isn’t useful. Has anyone found a good treatment for this? I’m so frustrated because I really love these headphones, but NOT loving my sore ears.

I did a few things that seemed to help the symptoms (after I saw a doctor in Hawaii who had not clue). First, I started taking Zyrtec because not only had they affected my ears but I also started itching randomly all over my body. Secondly, because I thought it was getting infected, I started applying topical neosporin to all affected areas, except obviously the inner ear. I also was experiencing severe peeling behind my ear, almost like a sunburn, so I applied Aquaphor or Eucerin, which honestly helped tremendously.

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities.

I want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your Powerbeats Pro Wireless. I recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Contact Apple Support

A number of sufferers (including me) have applied for a refund (and Apple seems to be willing), so we're waiting to see how long the refunds will take. I've noticed that several of us have also stated that, other than the dire effects on our ears, we actually love the PowerBeats Pros (PBPs), and what I'm really hoping is that Apple takes our experiences to heart, does some research into why those dire effects have occurred, and then produces a new version of the PBPs that won't drive our ears crazy. I think the worst thing that Apple could do is simply grease the squeaky wheels (those of us who have actually asked for refunds) and then let the whole problem quietly die down with no official comment about it for the world to see. Such an approach would do nothing to restore our confidence in Apple products and might well put a lot of us off buying future models of Apple earphones. Luckily for those like me who are willing to try out other Apple earphones, it is possible to buy an Apple product and get a refund within 2 weeks if there is a problem, but I still think that for the long-term interests of Apple and us customers, it would be best for the company to be completely up front with us when a problem like this occurs, for example, a recall or at the very least, a notice to those who have bought the product in question admitting the problem, and explaining why it has occurred and what Apple plans to do about it.

almost the same exact scenario for me....spent over an hour answering the same questions 3X over and now it's off to "engineering", but I have to submit more pictures. This happened to me in Jan/Feb (wore them probably 6 times) and I put them back in yesterday (3 months later) for 10 minutes, but when I felt the burning coming on I took them out after 2 songs--so even though my ears itched and weeped liquid yesterday my ears don't look like they did back in Jan/Feb but they still want pictures. I think they just hope we give up so they don't have to deal with it...

Man I'm grateful for this thread and the one someone linked to earlier on Reddit. I thought it was just me and I was going crazy! I didn't put it together until today and after finding these threads that it's totally my headphones. I don't wear them all that much, but every time I have they've irritated my ears. At first I thought maybe I didn't have the right size tips, but it was like itchy, which seemed odd. I haven't worn them while exercising so it wasn't sweat, and I'm finally at the point where you all are where it's causing crustiness and drainage and I wore them 4 days ago for only an hour. At the moment I'm only experiencing it where the ear tip is in my ear and not behind my ears with the hook. Someone in that Reddit thread bought different ear tips made of foam instead of silicone, so I'm going to try that and hope it helps. Sounds like contacting Apple is a real hassle over this, and I bought mine from a 3rd party site not Apple, so not sure that Apple would be willing to help me anyway. The guy who made a whole cover for his ear, while genius, seems so ridiculous considering how much these headphones cost. This clearly isn't an isolated incident if so many of us have this issue! Anyway, hopefully the different ear tips will help since I don't want to have to buy another set of headphones.

After a few phone calls with a tech rep, sending some pictures of my ears and scalp to engineering, and then answering more questions, I have been assured by Apple that I am getting a refund. One more phone call set up where they will generate a return label for me. It took awhile, but don't give up!

Agreed! And yes I’ve bought those ear tips so hopefully I can see how they are (after my ear heals). I thought the ear covers was a great Idea though I’d rather Apple acknowledge there’s an issue and fix it. I found 4 out her reddit threads of people complaining about the same incident and a few people there said they have similar issues with the AirPods Pro which kind of rules our me trying those instead. I like these except for the fact I’m apparently allergic! So I’m with you about a pair of headphones that doesn’t give you rashes etc! So ridiculous that Apple is giving people a whole rigamaroll about it when people complain.

Most of the Apple advisors I've spoken with have said that they hadn't heard of other cases, but surely by now it's common knowledge within the company. I really hope the engineers are burning the midnight oil trying to solve the problem. For me it's the company's reputation that's at stake here.