Users accuse AirPods Max of causing ear infections

According to NYPost , Sarah Stusek - a writer living in Virginia (USA) shared on TikTok that her ears were itchy and had discharge after using the $550 AirPods Max. But Stusek is not the only one having this problem, many AirPods Max users also complained about ear infections or allergies on Apple's community support page.

Apple was previously sued for moisture buildup inside the AirPods Max, causing the device to malfunction. When sweat or moisture forms droplets inside the earcups, they can leak through the speaker holes and damage the internal components of the headphones. Despite complaints on social media, Apple has not considered this a major issue and has not provided a clear repair policy.

Although the lawsuit doesn’t mention ear infections, Anthony Cornetta, an otolaryngologist at NYU Langone Huntington, said anything that traps moisture in the ear can cause inflammation and lead to bacterial or fungal ear infections, similar to swimmer’s ear. While he doesn’t think wearing AirPods Max is harmful to your health, he warned that this could be more common during hot summer months due to sweat accumulating in the earbuds.

Studies have shown that headphones are full of bacteria that can cause infections, so it is important to keep your headphones clean, free of earwax and moisture. Apple recommends cleaning your headphones with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. If the device has come into contact with soap, shampoo, lotion, perfume, food, or other substances, gently wipe the headphones with a slightly damp cloth and then dry them.

In addition, experts say users should stop wearing headphones if they experience unusual symptoms in their ears because long-term use will create conditions for moisture and pathogens to grow.