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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

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Posted on Jan 18, 2018 7:36 PM

Non-ionising means the radiation isn't strong enough to knock electrons away causing a chemical change on a molecular level.

But it does cause something called 'oxidative stress' which is cumulative.

Specifically that means you can't measure the consequences in the same way you would a normal action/reaction experiment.

That is why there are so many conflicting results.

Our bodies work on electrical signals and there's no way our man made signals don't interact with them on some level.

If you can prove non-ionising radiation doesn't cause oxidative stress then I'll listen to you. Until then, I know it's possible for some people to respond adversely to oxidative stress. Whether it be through headaches, anxiety, depression, aches, prickly skin, head foggines or an array of other flight or fight response mechanisms. I call that type of stress damaging in the same way I call emotional stress damaging when exposed to enough of it. You couldn't call one single experience the cause.

It is again, cumulative.

As for not leaving your home, radiation drops off exponentially with distance. We are talking about two radiating devices directly either side of your brain. Not walking past someone who has Bluetooth switched on.

34 replies

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 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..

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.

Pain/Headache while using Airpods

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