First day of use and out of nowhere I start getting a high pitched noise from my left AirPod. The sound comes when either changing listening modes, or adjusting it in my ear. Others have had this issue and even when getting a replacement pair it does it again. Software bug or warranty?
Through further experimentation and other feedback on the Apple community I think I have figured out the common issue and HAVE A TEMPORARY FIX until Apple resolve this.
I have been experiencing the issue 2 hours+ into a bike ride. Another user mentioned moisture, and they experience it after a shower – that got me thinking. The new silicone/foam ear tips create an excellent insulated seal between the hot moist inner ear canal and the external dry / colder air. This is especially true for those on Plane flights where the airconditioned cabin is dry and generally colder than the temperature within in the ear. This temperature difference, moisture on one side and excellent seal with hydrophobic coatings is the perfect trap for condensation to form.
There are two layers of mesh together – one black on the AirPod and one white on the Air tip. My hypothesis is that water vapour is hitting this colder mesh surface and forming microscopic condensation which is trapped between the two mesh layers and interfering with the sensors that are driving the ANC systems.
I experimented on a 5-hour bike ride in the weekend. After 2 hours the noise started so I removed the air tip, wiped the black mesh part of the AirPod, with a microfibre cloth dried inside my ear with another cloth, waved them around in the air to dry out, put the ear tip back on and the issue went away! I followed this procedure every hour for the remainder of by bike ride and this fixed the problem! Not ideal but at least it is a temporary fix until Apple figures this out…
Others have also reported rotating the ear tip 180 degrees provide a fix – I think this is because in doing so they have released the moisture / dried the mesh which may have been minor at that stage – nothing to do with the rotation, but rather just the act of removing / drying and putting back on...
There were two users that this fix worked for. It's a long shot but worth a try:
1 - remove the ear piece from the problem AirPod.
2 - rotate the ear piece 180º and replace on the AirPod.
As I said it's a long shot.
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.
A couple of users reported removing the ear pieces, rotating them 180º and putting them back on fixed it for them. It's a long shot but any port in a storm.
This is the most plausible explanation of this issue that I found so far. The day I bought the AirPods they were working fine, got into a flight that same day and the high pitched sound on the left AirPod started happening. The next day went to an Apple Store, changed the faulty one, seemed to be working just fine until I got into another flight and the same thing happened on the same AirPod. What I find it weird is that it’s a software issue, why isn’t it happening more broadly? I guess I’ll try to get a replacement since who knows how long a software fix may take
Same issue here, bought in Switzerland (included with new MacBook Air purchase). The first week of use was great, but then the left AirPod Pro 3 started making a high-pitched sound that rises and stops abruptly, repeatedly (it's more intense when ANC is on). I just got off my first flight with them, and it was five times worse. Will go to Apple Store once back from holidays to request an exchange.
Left air pod makes the screeching noise when inserting and removing or adjusting in ear. tried all tips as loose or uncomfortably big they are. Got left one replaced at apple store and it is still screeching. Tried another persons left air pods and it is doing it. My AirPods Pro 2 are not doing this with any of the various tips. My AirPods pro 1 had the issue with the left one as well. I may try a 3rd party set of tips. It is really annoying. This is all at below 0-20ft above sea level
Same problem here, both AirPods.
first experienced the problem with the initial firmware. After upgrading the firmware to the latest version the problem remains. In airplanes they are useless.
I think it’s a software bug. Temporarily switched back to my Airpods pro 2 because it hurts my ears.
One thing I have noticed is that this tends to happen when there is some kind of consistent hum in the area. For example, in my office the HVAC system tends to produce a constant hum and often when I put in my AirPods this issue shows up. Same thing happens sometimes on airplanes when there is a constant hum in the background. Usually, if I move somewhere that is quieter and put them in, the issue stops. Not sure if this is the cause or not, but if anyone at Apple is paying attention to this thread, it's worth exploring.
Those who are having the high pitch/feedback issue in the earbud(s) need to send it to Apple via the feedback app. This is the only way it will get to Apple techs to work the issue.
Feedback - AirPods - Apple
I have this issue with now my 3rd try on these Pro3`s, all 3 sets from apple store have had this noise and i cant stand it more than a few min. the first 2 sets i bought it the week it came out, figured it was a software bug and decided to just wait a bit, now i got it my 3rd time on nov 17 and it didn't happen right away but eventually it came back, not so much the super loud at moments high pitch screech but a constant howling noise like the window slightly being open on the highway. I'm Fully Convinced it is just this design and the way it sits in my ear. i tried every single ear bud combination, none of it works. i returned them and going to get the second gen
After a replacement of the left AirPod, then a full exchange for a new set, and still having the same issue, I decided to return them.. I’m still not sure if it’s a hardware or software issue, and it may have something to do with air pressure too, but I’m pretty sure the shape of my ear has something to do with the problem. I let my wife try the last ones I got and she wasn’t getting the high pitch audio feedback while I was getting it almost constantly. I’m just gonna wait to see if they fix it somehow and just then maybe buy them again
Same issue here. Constantly whining noise in both ears with noise cancelling, horrible squealing sound when adjusting either AirPod. Returned first set, second set is just the same. Haven’t taken any flights so doesn’t seem to be an altitude issue. Will return second set this weekend, though I’m going to test iOS 20.01 to see if there’s a firmware update.
Left here, painfully high pitched noise and I can pinpoint it so far to if I cover the top side vent with my finger when adjusting the earbud, so, all the time. Really hurts too. Bought in Apple Store in the uk.
Same issue, more prominent on the left ear pod for some reason, but somehow it starts to migrate to the right a little bit as well. Had the issue during a six hour flight on an airbus A320 Neo, and then a Boeing 737 Max. For some reason, it didn’t happen on a Boeing 757 three hour flight, maybe pressure or the harmonics I’m not sure. Either way it is screeching really loud and painful. I had to turn off the ANC or transparency functions going to the Apple Store to see if they can replace. Hopefully they are not out of the left AirPod. Never had an issue flying for two years with the AirPod Pro 2.
First issue - loud pitched tone in left bud, the day after pulsing incoherent audio in both buds. Less than two weeks old, note! I too flew from the UK to Rome!!! Apple found a fault in the right bud, but replaced the lot.
Is plane travel the issue? I’m flying again in December, so will let you know!!
High pitched noise on AirPods Pro 3
