Headphone microphone detecting sound that is playing on headphones

Got it. Thanks, cm_2765.

Let's make sure that during these times that you have the right microphone input selected. This will ensure that you're using the EarPods for both, as if you're using your EarPods for the audio portion but have your MacBook Air configured to use the internal mic, that could cause what you're seeing. Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and make sure that Internal Microphone isn't selected. This is important to check as you can set your input and output items differently, so for example, you could have the speakers on your Mac playing and the microphone could be set to the EarPods, or vice versa. Make sure they're set to the same.

Have a great day.

Hey cm_2765,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! Thanks for posting your question about audio leak on your EarPods or other headphones when used in conjunction with your microphone. I'd be glad to see what I can do to help.

Have you noticed that the output volume levels of your headphones affects the other party's ability to hear themselves or the films you mentioned? By this, I mean if you turn the volume down on the headphones that you're using, can they still hear those items through your headphones? On that same light, if you test with voice memos, like you mentioned, does it still pick up the audio in as pronounced a manner?

If you haven't tested that just yet, give it a try. Report back what you find out, and we'll go from there.

Be well.