Overview
- Flyers describe a sharp, high-pitched tone around 39,000 feet that overwhelms noise cancellation and often forces them to remove an earbud.
- The problem appears flight-specific with incidents starting during ascent or descent while the same units perform normally on the ground.
- User accounts indicate the left earbud is more frequently affected and the sound can briefly stop after reseating, yawning, or swapping tips before returning.
- Coverage attributes the behavior to cabin pressure and engine drone disrupting the ear-tip seal, which leads the ANC microphones to generate a self-amplifying squeal.
- Apple has not publicly commented on the reports, and suggested mitigations include trying different tip sizes, toggling or turning off ANC, testing during the return window, and carrying backup headphones, with at least one replacement unit reproducing the issue.