High pitched noise on AirPods Pro 3

I’ve been experiencing this issue only with my left AirPod. In my case, switching to a larger ear tip solved it. It seems like my left ear canal is slightly larger than my right one, and the original M tip didn’t seal properly, which caused a high-pitched sound.

Possible fix, you can try. I had this issue as well, went to apple they said AirPod is okay but still changed it, the same problem with new one.

On reddit I saw suggestion to turn tip 180 degrees what didn’t help.

What helped was turning it 90 degrees, yes it’s hard to put ear tip on like that, but after that whistling is gone and for 2 days I have been working good. Even the squeaking when pushing it in ear seems to be gone.

Just sharing my experience maybe it will help to someone. 🙂

UPDATE: I just got off the phone with a senior Apple advisor as my case is still open. She informed me this is now a recognized issue and the Apple Engineers are working on a fix.

They will be releasing a firmware update in the near future.

I'm also affected by the issue, bought it in a local shop and they send it to their repair center where they couldn't reproduce it. As I got them back the issue was gone but now after two weeks I'm having the issue with the other side.

Disabling features or rotating the ear piece 180° didn't fixed the issue.

So far I found a fix on my side, but this might not help everyone (Would be nice if you give a feedback if it helps you too):

On my side the issue seems to be moisture related, the issue occurs when I got out of the shower and later go for long walk (There's still some moisture within the ear). It seems that the moisture gets into the AirPods and causes this high pitched noise (or the electric reacts to it?)

Not using your AirPods for a longer time within the charging case don't fix the issue for me, as maybe the moisture can't dry in this closed and tiny space. I let the AirPods within the charging case but left the case open. After 1-2 hours the issue is gone and I can use the AirPods again.

agree with the "sound gets super loud at moments", which is why i returned mine to apple store. then i bought a new pair from amazon, and this new pair does not have the issue. so it was just the first pair i bought from apple store that had what i believe was a hardware issue.

I believe this is an issue related to air pressure. When taking a flight or driving at an altitude of 3000 meters (air pressure approximately 0.7-0.75 bar), enabling noise cancellation consistently produces a high-pitched noise. However, the noise cancellation function working perfectly when riding the subway at sea level.

I have had the AirPods inspected at an Apple Store, and no hardware issues were found. I am currently awaiting for a firmware update.

Try pulling off the silicon ear bud, rotating it 180º, but it back on. Does that help? It helped another users for a similar noise problem.

Yes, that is because whatever is causing the noise interference (moisture / Altitude / wind / air pressure / long duration noise appear to be the current suggestions from the chat) is interacting with the listening mode features resulting in the feedback / high pitched noise. Therefore if the Transparency / Adaptive / Noise cancellation modes are all off, the issue appears to go away.

To me this suggests the issue can be fixed with a firmware update - as when the listening mode firmware is not functioning the problem appears to goe away...

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

If replacing them still exhibits the issue then it may be a software bug. No one on here can say for certain until Apple announces being aware of an issue and plans to address it. But you’re in the return/exchange period so it won’t hurt to take advantage of it and see if it helps

I had this same issue with my right earbud roughly 4 weeks after using them. Eventually Apple replaced the right earbud and the issue has not returned. Also, I haven't been on a plane, my issue was feet flat on the ground.

Give this a try:   How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support 

Brought mine back to the Apple store - tech said they have seen quite a few come back. They swapped out the one causing a problem. Since mine only happened on an airplane it is hard to know if the issue is resolved until I fly again.

There were two users that this fix worked for. It's a long shot but worth a try:

1 - remove the ear piece from the problem AirPod.

2 - rotate the ear piece 180º and replace on the AirPod.

As I said it's a long shot.

Same issue!  1hr45 into a bike ride with my AirPods Pro3 in transparency, Adaptive, or Noise cancellation mode they will start making a high pitch feedback loop noise in the Left AirPod, and then the right side will start after about 2hr45. 

This will continue for the remainder of the ride. About 3 hours after finishing riding the noise will gradually go away.  Turning off ‘Listening mode’ also makes the noise go away, but as soon as it is switched back on the noise returns.

I can disconnect from all Bluetoofh devices, and it makes no difference. I connect to my iPad, it makes no difference. Swap out the eartips/ rotate the eartips – makes no difference.

This happens Every time I ride my bike for more than 1 hr 45 – without exception. I have been through all

troubleshooting procedures under the guidance of senior Apple Technicians and no difference.

I returned my first pair of Pro 3 and they replaced them, but the replacement had the same issue. This is obviously a design / software / and/or manufacture defect and they are not fit for purpose.

Possibly a defective manufacture run and both pairs I received are from the same run?

I have contacted Apple again and are waiting for a response.  I have been cycling for years with all versions

of AirPod Pros on the exact same cycle route and never had any issues before. .  I have noticed the Pro 3 noise cancelling cuts out the wind noise much better than the previous models which is great!  But I suspect whatever they have changed to achieve this has caused the issue.

I can use my AirPods in my office without any issues, however it is a relatively quiet environment. I understand others are experiencing similar issues on Plane flights where the noise cancelling will be working hard to shut out the background hum - similar to the wind on my bike rides... I don't think this is related to altitude as some have suggested, I think it is related to the noise cancelling mechanism / software.

A couple of users reported removing the ear pieces, rotating them 180º and putting them back on fixed it for them. It's a long shot but any port in a storm.