High pitched noise on AirPods Pro 3

Thanks for the update. Based on my previous theory here High pitched noise on AirPods Pro 3 - Apple Community I can’t see how any firmware update will fix this. I think they are going to have to re-design the EarTips to prevent the condensation / moisture buildup. It would be interesting to try the AirPod Pro2 tips on the AirPod Pro 3’s but obviously they don’t fit…

Comparing the design of the 2 models, the black mesh surface of the Pro 3 is more convex than the Pro 2 and therefore sticks out further and I suspect is actually touching the white mesh surface in the eartip. Any moisture would therefore get stuck there between the two layers …

I have done many more 2hr + bike rides since my post linked above and every time this issue starts, if I remove the tips, wipe the black mesh on the AirPod, and dry inside my ear it fixes the problem for the next hour, then I just keep doing it every hour to the end…

Hey I think you’re 100% correct on the moisture, I work construction and keep the AirPod in my ear 8 hours straight pretty much and have it happen to me almost every day and when I pulled the ear tip off I could actually see the moisture build up, after wiping it and putting the ear tip back on it worked perfect again. I’ve repeated that fix 3 times and each time it fixes it immediately so I’m pretty certain it moisture getting between the two meshes

PROBLEM RESOLVED WITH AFTER MARKET EAR TIPS.

Further to my previous theories that the problem is caused by a flaw in the the Apple Ear Tip design - most likely the mesh surfaces trapping moisture, I decided to try an after market Ear tip. I purchased the Comply ‘MAX Truegrip’ Memory Foam Ear Tips. I took these on a 3hr+ bike ride and no issues. I then wore them for the remainder of the day while building a fence in hot sun. No issues at all. TBH they also have better sound quality and have a more comfortable fit to the Apple Version. They are quite pricy however at $51 NZ ($30 US) for 3 sets.

I am very disappointed that Apple has not addressed the issue, and don’t seem to be owning it at all. I have had no further response from them and wasted countless hours and money trying to resolve this!

My chirping/feedback was resolved by getting replacements. Before going to Apple, I tried cleaning, new ear tips, redoing the fit tests, etc. Their diagnostic showed all of the ANC mics had gone bad lol.

As expected - I can confirm:

THE NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE 8B34 DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE.

I installed the firmware update and took my AirPods on a 5 hour bike ride this morning to test. Right on queue exactly two- hours in, the clicking started followed by the feedback echo and then the high pitch squealing. No different to before.

So I removed the ear tips, wiped the white mesh inside the ear tip and the black mesh surface on the AirPod where they connect, waved them around the air for a bit to make sure they were completely dry. Reassembled and they worked fine for the next hour and a half - then same thing happened so I repeated the process to the end.

I am pretty sure the only solution here is for Apple to come up with a redesigned eartip to stop this from happening. I am tempted to get another pair of eartips, and experiment by cutting the mesh out of them to see if that makes any difference…

all very frustrating!!

Great @trueblue53, fingers crossed this has solved the issue for you too!! I have been on 2 plane flights and done several bike rides over 2 hours with the Comply tips and the issue has completely gone. I think the difference is the mesh in the Comply tips looks to be positioned slightly further out i.e. creating a gap between the AirPod mesh surface, and the mesh on the Tip. I suspect there is no gap at all with the Apple tips... causing moisture, to get trapped, or building up static with the rubbing? or something along those lines... But I suspect the gap is the key difference.

Try the new firmware update 8B30. Fixed all the problems for me, which I’d had on two separate sets since day one of release.

I believe this is an issue related to air pressure. When taking a flight or driving at an altitude of 3000 meters (air pressure approximately 0.7-0.75 bar), enabling noise cancellation consistently produces a high-pitched noise. However, the noise cancellation function working perfectly when riding the subway at sea level.

I have had the AirPods inspected at an Apple Store, and no hardware issues were found. I am currently awaiting for a firmware update.

Give this a try:   How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support 

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

If replacing them still exhibits the issue then it may be a software bug. No one on here can say for certain until Apple announces being aware of an issue and plans to address it. But you’re in the return/exchange period so it won’t hurt to take advantage of it and see if it helps

I had this same issue with my right earbud roughly 4 weeks after using them. Eventually Apple replaced the right earbud and the issue has not returned. Also, I haven't been on a plane, my issue was feet flat on the ground.

That's not even true, stop with this stupid rhetoric...I just got my replacement AirPod and it works perfect, pretty sure the shape of my ear didn't change in 5 days. Apple says in my paperwork that the noise cancellation feature is defective in some units.

Hi,

I have the Airpods Pro 2.

I use them on the motorcycle, and the squeeling was a nightmare. Now with the latest update the problem totally disappeared even when riding a couple of hours. I have not done any other actions except the normal Apple test in the beginning that of course came back showing all was Ok, although I had the problem all the time.

So at least from my side, the update works perfect for me. I hope it stays like that!

Brought mine back to the Apple store - tech said they have seen quite a few come back. They swapped out the one causing a problem. Since mine only happened on an airplane it is hard to know if the issue is resolved until I fly again.

Same issue!  1hr45 into a bike ride with my AirPods Pro3 in transparency, Adaptive, or Noise cancellation mode they will start making a high pitch feedback loop noise in the Left AirPod, and then the right side will start after about 2hr45. 

This will continue for the remainder of the ride. About 3 hours after finishing riding the noise will gradually go away.  Turning off ‘Listening mode’ also makes the noise go away, but as soon as it is switched back on the noise returns.

I can disconnect from all Bluetoofh devices, and it makes no difference. I connect to my iPad, it makes no difference. Swap out the eartips/ rotate the eartips – makes no difference.

This happens Every time I ride my bike for more than 1 hr 45 – without exception. I have been through all

troubleshooting procedures under the guidance of senior Apple Technicians and no difference.

I returned my first pair of Pro 3 and they replaced them, but the replacement had the same issue. This is obviously a design / software / and/or manufacture defect and they are not fit for purpose.

Possibly a defective manufacture run and both pairs I received are from the same run?

I have contacted Apple again and are waiting for a response.  I have been cycling for years with all versions

of AirPod Pros on the exact same cycle route and never had any issues before. .  I have noticed the Pro 3 noise cancelling cuts out the wind noise much better than the previous models which is great!  But I suspect whatever they have changed to achieve this has caused the issue.

I can use my AirPods in my office without any issues, however it is a relatively quiet environment. I understand others are experiencing similar issues on Plane flights where the noise cancelling will be working hard to shut out the background hum - similar to the wind on my bike rides... I don't think this is related to altitude as some have suggested, I think it is related to the noise cancelling mechanism / software.