Left airpod is draining case

My left AirPod keeps draining the case. When I insert it, the lightning symbol indicating charging keeps appearing and disappearing, as if it keeps losing the connection with the charger in the case. When this happens, the case will be empty in a matter of hours, as the AirPod keeps making and breaking the connection. I have tried cleaning the case and the AirPod, but no improvement. I have also tried using pods and case until completely empty and then resetting and reconnecting. Alas... still no improvement. AirPods worked just fine for about 14 months, but this is really frustrating... is replacement my only option?