My left earpod is quieter than my right

I've been wondering this for some time, am I deaf in my left ear, or is my earpod generally broken? I want to make them both sound the same. When I take my right earpod out and listen to my left one, and then take my left out and listen to the right, the right earpod is a lot louder than my left. Is this because of earwax/hearing damage/or the earpod is broken. I've tested this with other earbuds as well, and they generally seem to be the same, so even if this is hearing damage, is there anything I can do to fix it? Thanks for the help.

iPod touch, iOS 8

Posted on Oct 5, 2014 11:40 AM

Top-ranking reply

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Posted on Oct 5, 2014 11:57 AM

iOS has Settings app > General > Accessibility there is a slider for setting the sound balance. It may help you get an equal balance for your ears.

I don't think classic iPods have this feature, but look through the settings menus.

I'd suggest you see a hearing specialist there may be something that can be done. The shape of the latest Apple earbuds makes it impossible to compare the volume of the left EarPod in the right ear because they are not symmetrical and sound is reflected differently in each ear.

A trained specialist is going to be more helpful than the internet at diagnosing medical issues. Start with your doctor if you don't know where to get help.

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40 replies

Jul 21, 2018 3:03 PM in response to davidfromhochdorf

Sucking on it does not at all sound like good advice. What about using a small vacuum cleaner?

Jul 21, 2018 4:02 PM in response to davidfromhochdorf

I’ve cleaned and blew in the big opening. Right still sounds outstanding while the left still sounds the same. I was hoping there was another setting I had not read about that would fix it.

Jul 21, 2018 4:12 PM in response to davidfromhochdorf

I certainly appreciate the help!! I will reach out to them.

Aug 2, 2018 6:13 PM in response to Frankie1413

Thank You stranger! You are the man

DJGODZ1

Level 1

8 points

Aug 16, 2018 8:47 PM in response to Frankie1413

Thanks a bunch man!!! It really helped me! I was hoping not to buy another pair of earbuds!! I’ll have to tell my friends!! Thanks a bunch

Oct 5, 2014 3:07 PM in response to Drew Reece

Ok bro, so you think it might be just that my left ear is shaped differently than my right? And as for the accessibility I knew that was there, and I knew it worked, but I was just wondering if the earpod was in some way damaged, shaped differently, (i.e) if something was wrong with the earpod.

sWiFt24

Level 1

13 points

Apr 19, 2016 9:02 AM in response to Frankie1413

Bump. Yep this works sounds weird but hey you do what you gotta do to not pay for another set of ear pods. Thanks man!

Jul 21, 2018 2:15 PM in response to 1-800 I need help

I’ve had my ear buds since Christmas and have only used them a handful of times so I know ear wax isn’t an issue not to mention my ears are always super clean.... I use the slider to get a more equal volume between the 2 buds and I hate that I have to slide it so far to the left then have to max out the volume so I can listen to music. I have the mono turned off too. So besides adjusting, turning off mono off and cleaning then... has anyone else tried anything else to get more equal volume balance between the two buds?

Jul 21, 2018 3:14 PM in response to Vujadejunky

First you need to clean the openings with a brush, as mentioned a toothbrush will work quite well. The smaller the brushes the better i guess.

The will look clean by eye, i was sure about that as well, but unless you can suck or blow air trough the big opening......

Regards,

David

Jan 20, 2015 4:24 AM in response to Drew Reece

This solved my problem..Thanks

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My left earpod is quieter than my right