Airpods pro 3 chirp/high pitch noise

Hi,


I just got the AirPods Pro 3 and whenever I put them in my ears/adjust them or just listen to music, I hear a high pitched sound/chirp in my left ear.


I tried all the troubleshooting possibilities such as resetting, changing from ANC/transparency/adaptive/off, cleaned them, tried different tip sizes, etc.


I even tried putting the right airpod in my left ear and it still happens in the left, so I’m guessing it’s an issue with my ear canal but I was still thinking if getting a replacement could help or if I could tone down the feedback that causes this.


I also had a few tries in the accesibility tab to tone down the transparency amplification but that didn’t work either.


My normal airpods 3 didnt have this issue at all so I guess it’s related to feedback from ANC/transparency. Does anyone else have this issue? The only temporary fix I found is placing the tip 0.1mm away from the airpod, right before it snaps into place and that makes it better


Thanks

AirPods Pro 3

Posted on Sep 25, 2025 6:16 AM

Reply
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Posted on Oct 21, 2025 7:46 PM

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.

50 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 21, 2025 7:46 PM in response to Unforgiven21

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.

Sep 25, 2025 6:48 AM in response to Unforgiven21

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

Oct 7, 2025 3:24 PM in response to Unforgiven21

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.

Nov 15, 2025 1:28 PM in response to Unforgiven21

So the saga of chirping AirPods Pro 3 continues. Apple have released a firmware update version 8B25. And dare I say it but the update appears to have eliminated the chirp. As previously mentioned diligently test ALL tip sizes and remember to regularly “screw” the AP3s back in your ears. I use my AP3s as hearing aids and wear them all day. Very happy … now with the new firmware.

Nov 8, 2025 3:39 AM in response to Unforgiven21

The problem has returned in my pair.


Swapped out with another pair and they are also having the problem so it seems to be a pretty common issue with these AirPods.


only happens when noise cancelling mode is turned on. On my first pair I got the high-pitched squealing sound like when you put a microphone too close to the speaker on the second pair it is a much lower but constant squeal in the background whenever noise cancellation mode Is on and specifically if there is a lot of background noise of the microphones are trying to listen to to cancel out.


Hopefully this is something that can be fixed with a firmware update and doesn’t require an equipment replacement.




Oct 27, 2025 11:16 AM in response to Timmy S.

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.

Oct 28, 2025 3:27 PM in response to Unforgiven21

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.

Airpods pro 3 chirp/high pitch noise

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