Recently I’ve been noticing problems with my AirPods (Gen 2 I think)
Overall volume can’t be adjusted loud enough to overcome passing vehicles while out walking.
Right AirPod volume has dropped below left
I’ve done the following troubleshooting steps and have managed to rule out most any product defect:
I switched left/right and the right AirPod has better volume in my left ear (had to position them upside down to get the main speaker grill facing the right direction (forward).
If I turn the right AirPod (in my right ear) to where the microphone is facing forward and the speaker is facing up, the volume is much louder than the left AirPod!
So has something changed in my ear? Swelling maybe? Unsure. All this has me researching wireless headphones…
It’s only a feature if the vehicle noise does not make the podcast completely inaudible. It’s good to know the vehicle is there, but annoying to have to pause the podcast multiple times per minute…
Based on your photo… that is not the way they should be worn, but you know that already. I am very surprised that the sound is better, because the main speaker would be most likely blocked in this position. I assume you cleaned the Air Pods of any debris (ie: earwax) as part of your trouble shooting steps.
Please visit a doctor and find out if there is any swelling in your ear canal!
Don’t worry; your ears are probably fine. I Had the same problem. Even twisting them like that made them seem louder. Ended up replacing them with a new pair. Volume gradually getting lower and lower is a known failure mode.
I just ordered some bluetooth over-the-ear headphones on Amazon. Might still get some earbuds in the future, but hoping I enjoy the headphones, at least at home. Might get a bit warm to wear outdoors next spring, but we’ll see…
