Some AirPods Pro 3 owners report "whistling" noise with ANC enabled

A growing number of AirPods Pro 3 users have taken to Reddit to report an unusual problem: a persistent high-pitched whistling sound when using active noise cancellation, particularly during flights.

The issue appears to affect only certain units, leaving some wondering whether they’ve received defective products or if there’s a quality control problem with Apple’s latest earbuds.

One Reddit user described their experience on a recent flight as “unbearable,” noting that the whistling became especially pronounced when chewing or making jaw movements. The problem disappeared immediately when they switched off ANC and conversational awareness features, suggesting the noise cancellation system itself might be at fault. After years of using AirPods Pro 2 without issues, the discovery came as a frustrating surprise.

Several other users chimed in with similar experiences. One mentioned that the whistling only occurred at cruising altitude, while another reported a “wind whooshing” noise that would occasionally intensify into the same high-pitched whistle. A few users noted the problem seemed tied to one earbud more than the other — sometimes the left, sometimes the right — which adds to the mystery of whether this is a hardware defect or something else entirely.

Similarly, another thread also describes the same issue, with multiple users confirming the problem exists.

That said, there are plenty of users who confirmed they had zero problems with their AirPods Pro 3 on flights. Some have completed long-haul journeys without hearing anything unusual.

I’ve also watched quite a few reviews of the AirPods Pro 3, including a recent one from Crinacle, who tested them during a flight. He found the passive noise isolation notably better than previous models, though ANC performance wasn’t groundbreaking. Importantly, he didn’t mention any whistling or major flaws, which suggests this might not be a universal issue.

Apple has reportedly begun replacing affected units for some users, though at least one person said their replacement had the same problem. Whether this can be fixed through a firmware update or requires a hardware revision remains unclear.

For now, anyone experiencing the whistling sound should contact Apple or return their purchase, especially if they’re still within the return window. But before you do that, there’s one weird, yet important aspect you should consider – the fit in your ears. As one user found out, a buildup of wax in their ears was the problem. Similarly, hair, or just a poor fit, might mess with ANC’s ability to seamlessly eliminate noise. So essentially, before blaming Apple, make sure you’re not the reason for the whistling sound in the first place.

That said, feel free to share your experience with the AirPods Pro 3 in the comments below. Have you also noticed the whistling noise when ANC is enabled?

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