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alexioflexio Author

Level 1

34 points

Pain/Headache while using Airpods

I bought these airpods very excitedly, and have enjoyed the practicality of using them. However, almost immediately after using them, i starting getting a strong pressure around my ears, specifically the area on my head around my ears. if i try to ignore it and continue using them, then this pain increases, and begins to feel like a pressure. I don't have this issue while using wired headphones, but i DO have this problem if I keep an iphone next to my head while talking. Normally, i use wired headphones and keep the phone away from my head for this very reason. I had also experienced this type of pain/pressure/headache while using bluetooth headsets in the past, but never to the intense level caused by the airpods.

I can only speculate (I'm sure i'll get skewered for using that word) that this has something to do with bluetooth signal, or in the case of the phone, cellular signal, which i've either become hypersensitive to from years of use, or worse. Without going into conspiracy theories about what cell phone manufacturers know or don't know about what radiowaves are doing to us, this is concerning. I'm having to return my airpods sadly, there is no way i can consciously keep using them, not to mention that the headache becomes very strong after while to the point that it can't be ignored. I'll add that I hardly ever get headaches normally, this is an easily identifiable cause for me.

iPhone 6, iOS 11.2.2

Posted on Jan 17, 2018 11:03 AM

Top-ranking reply

tomfromkilkenny

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Feb 16, 2018 9:58 AM

I have the exact same problem--got the airpods, used them four times, once they made me nauseous, the next two times I got the pressure headache exactly as you describe. Used for 45 mins to an hour, listening to music quietly each time. Contacted Apple, they referred it to their engineers, who said I should seek medical advice. The Apple support agents I spoke to said they'd never heard of this problem before which I cannot believe as there are so many people reporting the exact same problem online.

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34 replies

deggie

Level 10

167,333 points

Feb 17, 2018 7:35 PM in response to Survivor460

No, this doesn't help. There are no Bluetooth "rays", there is Bluetooth non-ionizing radiation but it has no impact on cell tissue and repeated blind studies have been done, even with people claiming to be sensitive to it, and have disproven any negative impact of Bluetooth and WiFi. Your test of yourself and your friend proves nothing as you are describing the microphone.

Feb 18, 2018 8:25 AM in response to Survivor460

Survivor460 wrote:

I don't know how "alive" this thread is, but I think I found the root of the problem. On the bottom of the AirPods are the metallic charging thingy. Look a little closer and you'll notice a narrow streak of plastic material streaking the metal. That's the antenna, the transmitter, whatever you wanna call it. Those Bluetooth rays that come out of there are the pain inducers. Now on to the "cure". If the AirPod is touching your cheek, that transmitter will be shooting the side of your head with Bluetooth rays. If you angle the AirPod so the bottom doesn't touch your cheek, the pain seems to stop. My friend borrowed my AirPods once and he felt the same headaches, once he angled the AirPods away from his cheek the pain stopped. Hope this helps.

I understand that science tends to be inadequately taught. But, with a little work, you can rectify your lack of knowledge. Take a basic science course or get a book such as this:

Amazon.com: Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) eBook: Karl F. Kuhn, Karl F. Kuhn: Kindle …

Mar 18, 2018 4:54 PM in response to deggie

Hi Deggie!

It seems that you are well informed , can you link me some of these double blind studies ? Maybe you find some studies about the effect of long exposure of brain cells to bluetooth?

Best regards!

Mar 20, 2018 6:58 PM in response to deggie

That link is from Pubmed´s home page, not from a specific study. Like i said, i use Pubmed quite often so i am familiar with that homepage.

I would really like to get a link from the specific studies you name as ground for your opinions.

Just to read and to analyse the study myself. Nothing more. "Just to stick to reality".

Mar 21, 2018 11:47 AM in response to mafromtht

mafromtht wrote:

That link is from Pubmed´s home page, not from a specific study. Like i said, i use Pubmed quite often so i am familiar with that homepage.

I would really like to get a link from the specific studies you name as ground for your opinions.

Just to read and to analyse the study myself. Nothing more. "Just to stick to reality".

As you are the person who's interested in the subject, I think it's incumbent upon you to search and review the literature. Like deggie, I don't keep a list. As there is a general consensus on the matter, I see no need.

Mar 30, 2018 1:39 AM in response to alexioflexio

I believe that Bluetooth tech and mobile as a whole today is like Tabacco in the 50’s. We are all in denial and the mobile industry is definitely holding back on us all. I also get huge headaches Whenever I use phone or EarPods..best is to use regular earphones. I am sure 10 years from now clear messges from the FCC FDA Surgean General or whatever will be slapped on all mobile mobile devices warning of danger of exposure resulting in brain cancer..

deggie

Level 10

167,333 points

Mar 30, 2018 11:54 AM in response to alainfromchicago

Your analogy really doesn't work. It was known that tobacco had an effect on the cells in the body the first time scientists did any research into it, long before all the tobacco executives lied about it in front of congress. Even smokers knew all about smokers cough. And in the very early days of tobacco, before they bred it out, smoking tobacco would get you high.

Scientists have already researched non-ionizing radiation, including Bluetooth and WiFi, and not found any evidence whatsoever that it causes any kind of cell damage or even any change. And recently further research on cellular affect on the brain have come to the conclusion that early hypotheses were highly overstated.

And EarPods are regular earphones.

anypats

Level 7

21,345 points

Jan 17, 2018 1:27 PM in response to alexioflexio

I would recommend seeing a doctor.

deggie

Level 10

167,333 points

Jan 18, 2018 2:06 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

You are doubting me?

Jan 18, 2018 2:11 PM in response to deggie

Merely seeking to learn more.

deggie

Level 10

167,333 points

Jan 18, 2018 2:17 PM in response to alexioflexio

Actually you might get skewered by the hosts for starting a poll which is specifically prohibited by the Terms of Use you agreed to when you signed up here.