Hello PACfromtakoma,
To help us get a better understanding of the issue, we’d like to ask a few questions.
1. Is Automatic Ear Detection enabled? This page will guide you through how to check: Change the settings of your AirPods and AirPods Pro
Turn Automatic Ear Detection on or off
By default, AirPods sense when they're in your ear and receive the audio from your device. AirPods also pause and resume playback when you remove one of your AirPods, or stop playback—and won't resume—when you remove both. When you have Automatic Ear Detection on and you're not wearing your AirPods, audio plays through your device's speakers.
When you turn off Automatic Ear Detection, these features are off and all audio plays to your AirPods whether or not you're wearing them.
2. Let's also ensure the volume of sound effects for AirPods is set correctly, so we can make sure that isn't the cause of this behavior. This page explains how to adjust the volume of sound effects for AirPods, and may help: Adjust the volume of sound effects for AirPods
Adjust the volume of sound effects for AirPods
You can adjust the volume of sound effects played by your AirPods, such as when you put them in your ears, press and hold the Touch control on AirPods Pro (2nd generation), or receive low battery alerts.
Change the volume of sound effects using iPhone or iPad
1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
2. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings
> Accessibility > AirPods.
3. Select your AirPods, then adjust Tone Volume.
For more options—such as Headphone Accommodations—tap Audio Accessibility Settings. See Set headphone accommodations for AirPods.
Thanks!