Level 1

31 points

Airpods pro 3 chirp/high pitch noise

Hi,

I just got the AirPods Pro 3 and whenever I put them in my ears/adjust them or just listen to music, I hear a high pitched sound/chirp in my left ear.

I tried all the troubleshooting possibilities such as resetting, changing from ANC/transparency/adaptive/off, cleaned them, tried different tip sizes, etc.

I even tried putting the right airpod in my left ear and it still happens in the left, so I’m guessing it’s an issue with my ear canal but I was still thinking if getting a replacement could help or if I could tone down the feedback that causes this.

I also had a few tries in the accesibility tab to tone down the transparency amplification but that didn’t work either.

My normal airpods 3 didnt have this issue at all so I guess it’s related to feedback from ANC/transparency. Does anyone else have this issue? The only temporary fix I found is placing the tip 0.1mm away from the airpod, right before it snaps into place and that makes it better

Thanks

AirPods Pro 3

Posted on Sep 25, 2025 6:16 AM

Top-ranking reply

tkaphi

Level 1

26 points

Posted on Apr 26, 2026 12:51 PM

For those, who experiences whistles when exercising the issue is sweat.

I was able to track down the issue today.

It started to whistle in my left ear after almost of 2 hours of cycling. It happened in a few minutes before I came home.

So, took the AirPod and checked it on the sun where I noticed a tiniest droplet of sweat sitting on the tips' grill.

Immediately I went to my microscope and checked the AirPod thoroughly.

The sweat stuck inside the openings of the grill. It is practically invisible to a naked eye.

I removed the tip, cleaned it up with isopropyl alcohol.

Then I wiped off the airpod assembly using paper tower.

The AirPod left watermarks on the paper towel.

I put the the parts together. And the whistle was gone like nothing happened.

When I was doing all of this my second AirPod remained my in my right ear and I haven't had any troubles.

I don't know why this issue has never surfaced in my old AirPods (gen1).

I assume ANC was less sensitive and tolerated sweat inside the AirTip.

My recommendation to Apple is to do some tests in the lab and address this issue through firmware update.

I think this scenario is easy to reproduce by dropping a water inside the AirPod.

After all the real issue is chirping/whistling and many people would trade off ANC for whistle-free experience. Those whistles are incredibly loud and can scare people which can lead to accidents, therefore lawsuits.

I hardly see any reasonable hardware solution there. Maybe some hydrophobic coverage on the grill but will not protect from slow buildup or water condensation since AirPods are always a little bit cooler that the body.

After all, this issue needs to be addressed because people will sweat, get under rain, have air was build up etc.

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78 replies

tkaphi

Level 1

26 points

Mar 31, 2026 7:08 PM in response to Unforgiven21

While a lot of people suggest that issue in the hardware be rest assured it is not.

If the issue with the hardware it will start right away after putting headphones, maybe after a few seconds when noise cancelling buffers are filled and ambient noise model built.

But if the issue appears after few hours of use and gone once headphones are put back into the case for 15 minutes (this is the time when firmware gets restarted inside headphones) - this is 100% firmware.

Something that takes such a long time to develop is simple - it is either small memory leak or pressure changes inside internal ear. It is very likely has impact on the noise cancelling but it doesn't do a graceful recovery.

Today it started to whistle early and it appeared in sync with a change of pressure inside internal ear.

It is called Eustachian tube equalization. It occurs naturally but it doesn't happen often. Hence is the delayed character of the issue.

My personal feedback to Apple firmware team would be:

Fix the Eustachian tube equalization issue or add a Siri command to restart headphones (this fixes the problem)
Improve wind noise cancellation (this is really annoying on the bicycle)

Feb 23, 2026 7:50 AM in response to ka394

BROOO! Licking it fixed it for me. Thank you so much!

Oct 2, 2025 9:20 AM in response to Unforgiven21

Same issue & they’re literally a day old. My AirPod pro 2’s have been through it, being washed multiple times, dropped in a lake, ran over, etc, & zero problems. I noticed the 3’s feel almost cheaper in a way. This is unacceptable & I’m baffled that other people are already having this issue. Here I was thinking Apple might’ve turned the table with these and made actual improvements in their products. Looks like I was wrong.

Cstred

Level 1

14 points

Oct 12, 2025 9:43 PM in response to Unforgiven21

I experienced a horrible feedback/whistling noise in the left ear on a flight today. No previous issues prior. I was seated over a wing/engine. It was to the point where my headphones were unusable for 3/4 of a flight.

Oct 23, 2025 3:48 AM in response to Unforgiven21

Same issue here, on my second pair now and am so disappointed. Chirping in my right bud even if i just touch it to adjust, and even when i hold them they both chirp whistle loudly.

I was on a flight yesterday - ok for 30 minutes then constant chirp in the right one... absolutely useless as it is ... so much for a 'premium product'. Mine 20 quid cheapos did a better job. Anyway will go to the store this weekend for a refund unfortunately, but i really wanted to like them :(

DB197

Level 1

14 points

Oct 26, 2025 6:35 AM in response to Old Toad

Had exactly the same issue on a night flight back last night (I'd worn my AirPods Max on the way out which were as old and faithful as ever, but had loaned them to my kid for the return flight so I had the buds in) - horrendous and made them absolutely unusable for flying.

Not at all impressed since I only bought these a week or so ago to replace some of the original AirPods Pro which had developed the static issue.

samuli49

Level 1

14 points

Nov 22, 2025 6:24 AM in response to Unforgiven21

I have exactly the same issue: a chirping noise on the left AirPod. It started after just three days of use, right in the middle of a cycling workout. Really annoying. None of the previous AirPods Pro generations ever gave me any trouble.

igor236

Level 1

20 points

Dec 5, 2025 11:30 AM in response to Unforgiven21

The shop where I've bought them actually accepted the return, and yes the new pair has exactly the same problem.. whistling after a couple dozen km on a cycling ride, incredibly annoying, very pro of Apple..

Jul 2, 2026 11:00 AM in response to scottfromwest hollywood

Because you waited until they were out of warranty lol. In what world do you not pay when anything is out of the warranty period?!? That’s on you unfortunately, you should have done something sooner. Apple has a very good warranty. Most products are 90 days. Apple gives you an entire year to get anything fixed.

clozner

Level 1

12 points

Sep 26, 2025 10:02 AM in response to Unforgiven21

I had the same issue, but only on flights / plane. Not day to day at home or office. Maybe something to do with the in cabin noise frequency.

Oct 6, 2025 3:43 AM in response to Unforgiven21

Same issue, only in my right ear during flight. Very disappointing, since noise cancellation is a huge necessity for me while flying.

I have another flight today, so I’ll give it a go again.

Oct 10, 2025 8:43 AM in response to JustJarred

I would say mine have gotten worse since the firmware update

Oct 13, 2025 9:07 AM in response to Old Toad

It did not work.

Oct 15, 2025 3:16 PM in response to Old Toad

That seems to have worked for me here in Australia.

tomsbag

Level 1

10 points

Oct 21, 2025 10:03 AM in response to Unforgiven21

ive had the same issue, did all the fixes. no luck. please give us a firmware update. its annoying. especially on long runs. i dont want to return them. but i will if doesnt fix.

Airpods pro 3 chirp/high pitch noise