Airpods pro 3 chirp/high pitch noise

Ok so after reading all these comments and booking a consultation with Apple (later cancelled - read on to see why) I am confident I have found the solution. And the answer? Diligently try ALL ear tips making sure the AirPods are “screwed” into your ear. I started with the as supplied ear tips and got the chirping. Which is actually random electronic ringing caused by the anc feedback loop overworking. I then tried small tips. No improvement which is when I booked a call to Apple. But then I thought why not try the large ones. Hey Presto problem solved for me at least with the correct size ear tips again in my case the large ones. After two days no chirping so I cancelled my Apple meeting. Now a week later and still no chirping and all is good. I’m getting 8 hours of battery life in hearing mode with a couple of hours of streaming in the mix. Of note I regularly “re-screw” the AirPods as they seem to want to work their way out of my ears. But overall a good experience. No ear discomfort after a whole day of use and absolutely no chirping. Even took a 1 hour domestic flight on a 737 in cattle class and the anc was a huge benefit. So keeping testing those ear tips until you find the right size and not necessarily the same size for both ears. Oh and that “tip” about rotating the ear tips. Rubbish. The ear tips are symmetrical. Sadly our ears aren’t. By patient and persevere. It’s worth it.

I have had the same issue with the AirPods Pro 3. I returned the first pair and for a replacement. Went home, charged them, and had the same issue with the second. Went back to the Apple Store and got a 3rd. While in the store with the rep i connect them to my iPhone, and again that same chirping/whistling noise was coming from the left air pod. So I just got a refund. Very frustrating as I never had this issue with the AirPods Pro 2 I had

So I just did that and turned the left ear tip 180° and the whistling stopped right away so it does work surprisingly so maybe there is a certain direction that your ear pod tips have to be put in

I took my first flight today with the new AirPods Pro 3 and noticed the same issue others have mentioned — a whistling noise in the right AirPod. I tried a few things to make it stop, but nothing worked until I read this thread. When I cupped my hand over my ear, the whistling went away for a bit. Switching to Adaptive mode also stopped the noise.

Based on what I experienced, it seems like a pressure or noise cancellation feedback issue. When I closed my nose and mouth to equalize my ears, the whistling would start again. It also happened when I yawned during the flight. It’s a strange problem and not something I’ve ever experienced before.

I noticed there was a new firmware update today (build 8A358), so I’m hoping that resolves it. Waiting for my AirPods to update now.

Those looking for a fix. There is none. I tried changing buds, flipping, cleaning, different modes, resetting etc. These are defective products. Get a refund.

I went to the genius bar, and they performed an audio test that confirmed there's something wrong with my left earbud. They replaced the problem side yesterday, and we'll see whether that fixes things.

This user found a fix that worked for him:

Croger006

Oct 10, 2025 1:49 PM in response to NikoTsio

So I fixed the weird click noise I'd hear when walking or tilting my head to the right by pulling off the silicon ear piece, rotating it 180º.

This user found a fix that worked for him. Maybe it'll work for you:

Croger006

Oct 10, 2025 1:49 PM in response to NikoTsio

So I fixed the weird click noise I'd hear when walking or tilting my head to the right by pulling off the silicon ear piece, rotating it 180 degrees, and sticking it back on. Easy and free fix.

I had the same issue on a flight from CA to Atlanta. Did the reset as support chat suggested and also the firmware update from this week. Neither helped. There are a ton of Reddit posts about the same. I returned mine to Costco today. Not going to repurchase until apple comfirms this is fixed.

Timmy S. wrote:

Bought the APP3 late Sept. Worked like a charm the first week. The noise cancellation is ridiculously good. So good in fact, that no one should ever engage it while driving because you can't hear anything outside!! After that first week the weird whistling/chirp/feedback-y sounds began in the left earbud with either transparency or noise cancellation activated. Doesn't happen when those features are off. Tried every ear tip and resetting. Was able to get a Genius bar appointment on the 14th day, the last day of the return window. I was told I could exchange mine for a new pair. Unfortunately they were out of stock so all they could do was replace the left earbud. The issue continues with that replacement earbud. I'm outside of the return window and the Apple guy basically said they're not gonna be able to keep replacing the left earbud if the issue continues. The issue continues so I'm stuck.

What I do when I'm driving is to turn off Automatic Ear Detection so I can use just one AirPod to answer phone calls, listed to text messages as well as listen to audiobooks.

I believe it's illegal to drive with both in here in California.

I'm having the exact same problem. The left ear bud emits a high pitched feedback sound that makes it unusable when noise cancellation is enabled. It's the worst on airplanes. I've tried every ear tip size but it still happens. It has nothing to do with the ear tip fit because the feedback even happens when I'm holding it in my hands.

I went to the Apple Store and exchanged the left bud for a new one. The problem went away for a while but has now returned, possibly coinciding with a firmware update to the latest version (8A358). Unfortunately I didn't check the firmware of the bud when I initially received it.

I'm quite disappointed. I wish I could return them but my return window has passed. I hope that this can be fixed in a firmware update.

This worked for me, thanks! Had noticeable feedback and/or chirping with noise cancelation (in a LOT of background noise) in one ear only. App had said that my fit was good, but when I put the large tip on just that ear, it fixed the problem.

This happened to me too, just return them for a refund and get something reliable.

[Edited by Moderator]

Does it do it when you back on terra firms? Another user claimed that he researched it and found that when the AirPods Pro 3 were above a certain altitude the screeching began. It was air pressure sensitive. Can you confirm?

I had this problem too and it was especially bad on a flight I took the day I bought my AirPods 3. I contacted Apple Support through Chat and was told after they did a diagnostic analysis of them to reset my AirPods. I went through that process and I have noticed 2 things. First, the sound seems better but I have not and will not be on an airplane any time soon so I cannot say that they work as they should in that situation. Second is the removal of the ability to turn off the ANC. There were originally 4 choices "Off", "Transparency", "Adaptive", and "Noise Cancellation". After the reset "Off" was gone. My AirPods 3 now have Firmware 8A357 which the Apple site says is the latest.

I hope this helps but I am not sure if the issue is really fixed.