AirPods 4 ANC - sickness/ dizziness

[GeeDuhb]

Hi all. I'm one of those people who just can't deal with the AirPod Pro ear tips, but really want that ANC!

I last had some Sony XM3 headphones but returned due to the ANC making me feel dizzy/sick.

So the new AirPod 4's with ANC has me interested as they don't have the ear tips. But I don't want the sickness the Sony's gave me.

The question is! Do you think the AirPod 4 ANC will still cause sickness without the seal? I thought it was the pressure from the ANC that caused it, and assume these won't have the pressure without the seal. Or is it the frequencies used to cancel the sound that cause the issues?

Any info appreciated! Would love to be able to continue hearing music/podcasts when a car drives by. But likewise don't want to buy the 4's and feel sick when using the ANC. Thanks all!

Rest assured you are definitely not the only one in the exact same situation. I actually came here looking for this exact answer.

I have had the original AirPods Pro’s since shortly after launch, but the noise cancellation has always made me nauseous/given me a headache as well, so I have only ever used them in “off” and transparency modes. I have an on-ear headset at work that has ANC and I have no problem with it, so I have been hoping that the open back/lack of tips in the new AirPods 4’s might be useable for me.

I will keep my eye on this thread to see if anyone reports in who has had similar experiences, but I will probably grab a pair to try out myself at some point in the next few weeks, so I will let you know if no one else ever does.

So I ended up biting the bullet and going to an Apple Store to pick up a pair tonight.

First and foremost, I’ll nail the headline right at the top; in the little time I have had with them, I can say the ANC has not hit me as hard and fast with the nausea/lightheadedness as the Pros did. I think there definitely is something to the thought that pressure from the tips can be at least a partial contributor to that feeling. I definitely felt it a little bit, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as I experienced with the Pros. At least in the little time I have used them, it was tolerable (although I will say, I definitely understand the “pressure” feeling someone else mentioned, which is a strange sensation at first). I need to use them more to fully decide whether I will be able to use it on a regular basis, but there is definitely a chance I might be able to as I have already gotten a little used to it. So yes, there is reason for hope!

As for my overall impressions of the 4’s:

They definitely feel different in your ears than the AirPods 3. The 3’s fit fine in my ears and I have never really had many issues, aside from a little soreness sometimes after wearing them for hours straight. The 4’s seem to fit more snugly in my ears, but not in a tight way, if that makes sense.

I would describe the 4’s as more “bean shaped” and the speaker faces more upward than past versions. Because of this, they seem to be designed to sit angled farther forward in your ear. In mine, they appear to fit best right in the little notch of my ears, as it allows that “bean” shape combined with the more upward facing speaker to slide into your ear canal and create a pretty decent seal for not having tips. Even having them in the “off” position blocks more outside noise than the 3’s do, so that is a plus for anyone even contemplating the base 4’s without the ANC.

They are surprisingly comfortable actually, as they seem to fit me like a glove, but not an overly tight one. Again, hopefully that makes a little bit of sense because it is hard to describe. Overall, in my few hours with them tonight, I have enjoyed how they feel. And they sound great as well. A little more bass than the 3’s but overall just a fuller and more powerful sound.

The transparency mode is definitely not as loud and clear as it is on the Pro’s, especially when you are talking, but it does a decent enough job. No doubt less needed than in the Pros, but it makes the most sense with the adaptive mode, where it will automatically change settings to give you the best listening experience for what is needed at any given time.

So in summary, I think it will be a person by person difference that will really have to be tested by everyone to see how they feel, but there is a chance! I think you buying a pair was the best call and I am eager to hear your impressions @TAwoniyi!

 

[Jackbequickly]

I guess I am in the minority here but I love my new 4s with ANC. Actually shocked at how well the ANC works while not sealed to the ear canal. Also the 4s have improved ”clean” bass frequencies compared to my AirPod 3.

Apple has a real winner here and the 4s are greatly improved over the 3s and the ANC is just icing on the cake. The 4s even fit my ear better. Everyone’s ears are different and this was my biggest question about the 4s, now laid to rest.

 

[Simon89]

So buying the version without ANC is what you’d suggest?

No, the physical shape is causing me discomfort. I’ll be sticking with my AirPod 2s

 

[Stotka]

Update from more testing. Went for a bike ride around the city about 1h. ANC on the whole time. No pressure or nausea at all. Which I love! It suppresses the constant noises really well and you get some of the closer road noise which is nice to be aware of whats going on around you. Listened to music at about 50-60% volume and I could enjoy the music fully. With the 3 I would need to crank up the volume. Still getting used to the shape but they didn't budge at all.

 

[TAwoniyi]

So I ended up biting the bullet and going to an Apple Store to pick up a pair tonight.

First and foremost, I’ll nail the headline right at the top; in the little time I have had with them, I can say the ANC has not hit me as hard and fast with the nausea/lightheadedness as the Pros did. I think there definitely is something to the thought that pressure from the tips can be at least a partial contributor to that feeling. I definitely felt it a little bit, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as I experienced with the Pros. At least in the little time I have used them, it was tolerable (although I will say, I definitely understand the “pressure” feeling someone else mentioned, which is a strange sensation at first). I need to use them more to fully decide whether I will be able to use it on a regular basis, but there is definitely a chance I might be able to as I have already gotten a little used to it. So yes, there is reason for hope!

As for my overall impressions of the 4’s:

They definitely feel different in your ears than the AirPods 3. The 3’s fit fine in my ears and I have never really had many issues, aside from a little soreness sometimes after wearing them for hours straight. The 4’s seem to fit more snugly in my ears, but not in a tight way, if that makes sense.

I would describe the 4’s as more “bean shaped” and the speaker faces more upward than past versions. Because of this, they seem to be designed to sit angled farther forward in your ear. In mine, they appear to fit best right in the little notch of my ears, as it allows that “bean” shape combined with the more upward facing speaker to slide into your ear canal and create a pretty decent seal for not having tips. Even having them in the “off” position blocks more outside noise than the 3’s do, so that is a plus for anyone even contemplating the base 4’s without the ANC.


They are surprisingly comfortable actually, as they seem to fit me like a glove, but not an overly tight one. Again, hopefully that makes a little bit of sense because it is hard to describe. Overall, in my few hours with them tonight, I have enjoyed how they feel. And they sound great as well. A little more bass than the 3’s but overall just a fuller and more powerful sound.

The transparency mode is definitely not as loud and clear as it is on the Pro’s, especially when you are talking, but it does a decent enough job. No doubt less needed than in the Pros, but it makes the most sense with the adaptive mode, where it will automatically change settings to give you the best listening experience for what is needed at any given time.

So in summary, I think it will be a person by person difference that will really have to be tested by everyone to see how they feel, but there is a chance! I think you buying a pair was the best call and I am eager to hear your impressions @TAwoniyi!

Thanks so much for sharing your review and experience! And to everyone else in this thread, it's been great to learn more about how the ANC works and affects people so differently. Really appreciate you all for taking the time to post and help!

So.. I got mine yesterday and after around 1 hour of walking with ANC and 1 hour of gym time with ANC, here's my own experience..

- The fit is great! Probably slightly better than the 3's, with a caveat that the fit of the 4's matters so much more for the ANC. They did start to come a little loose when training due to sweat (tmi, sorry) so not sure how good they'd be on a rainy or intensive run

- The ANC is probably better at cancelling the lows/mids than I expected but worse than cancelling out the mids/highs. Example being that they cancelled out the vacuum yesterday brilliantly, but I can still hear the kids squawking as if I wasn't hearing them at all!

- Wind noise in my ears seems louder or more digitised than when not wearing them, which is weird

- I need to be more alert crossing roads with ANC on! I didn't hear the car coming, but I did hear the Sainsbury's delivery truck reversing towards me (the beeping, not the engine noise)

- The ANC is an absolute game changer in being able to hear what I'm listening to when walking next to a road or in the gym. Incredible! I've gone from full volume on the 3's to about 1/3-1/2 on the 4's which should be great for my hearing health long term

- I'd liken the ANC to a good pair of curtains on a sunny day. They're blocking out the direct light and dimming the room, but you'll still know that sun is shining outside

- The sound quality is night and day compared to my 3's (though my 3s must have gone bad for the difference to be this great)

- And now for the sickness question.. I'd say there's some, very mild affect from wearing these. It's a feeling in the roof of my mouth/back of my throat rather than dizziness. It's probably worse when I'm walking looking down, better when looking straight ahead (so good for posture too!). There's definitely not the strength of feeling I had with the XM3s - and I'm hoping the mild nausea will fade over time. Hurrah!

 

[Simon89]

I'm having second thoughts returning them now. Used at the gym earlier and didn't experience any ear ache which was unusual. I might try them this evening when my son is in bed with the Apple TV and see how I get on.

 

[Benz63amg]

I'm having second thoughts returning them now. Used at the gym earlier and didn't experience any ear ache which was unusual. I might try them this evening when my son is in bed with the Apple TV and see how I get on.

Have you tried Transperancy Mode?

 

[Benz63amg]

These of you that got the AirPods 4 with ANC. How’s the sound with TRANPERANCY Mode enabled vs with both AND and Transparency turned OFF? Is the feeling of pressure in the ears better with transparency enabled? Does having transparency enabled sound “artificial” in any way or does it sound more like you have nothing in your ears?

 

[Lakailb87]

These of you that got the AirPods 4 with ANC. How’s the sound with TRANPERANCY Mode enabled vs with both AND and Transparency turned OFF? Is the feeling of pressure in the ears better with transparency enabled? Does having transparency enabled sound “artificial” in any way or does it sound more like you have nothing in your ears?

No pressure with transparency mode, it's honestly hard to tell what its doing since when you turn all ANC modes off you can hear the outside well already.

 

[Simon89]

Have you tried Transperancy Mode?

Sorry this is a physical ache, I should have been clearer

 

[thadoggfather]

is the weird feeling immediately or after some use?

cause I just picked up a pair and not feeling anything, maybe can count my blessings!

 

[Simon89]

It would vary between 10mins to 30mins. I've just returned my pair now, back to the trusty AirPod 2s.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Well, I've been using the AP4 ANC all week in different scenarios and I'm mixed on if I'm keeping them

Something about my ear anatomy doesn't love the ANC on the right side and I end up getting a "plugged up" feeling (like when descending in an airplane) on the right side basically the whole time I use ANC

It's obviously fine when using them with ANC "off", but at that point I'd just as soon use any of my AP2's (of which I have 4 sets)

I think I might be taking them back next Monday -- we'll see

I do like what the ANC offers, but I don't care for the "ear plugged up" sensation on the one side when using ANC, and the ANC is sort of the whole point for me personally.

This is obviously not Apple's fault .. it just seems to be a slightly tighter ear canal on the right side maybe?

 

[Benz63amg]

Well, I've been using the AP4 ANC all week in different scenarios and I'm mixed on if I'm keeping them

Something about my ear anatomy doesn't love the ANC on the right side and I end up getting a "plugged up" feeling (like when descending in an airplane) on the right side basically the whole time I use ANC

It's obviously fine when using them with ANC "off", but at that point I'd just as soon use any of my AP2's (of which I have 4 sets)

I think I might be taking them back next Monday -- we'll see

I do like what the ANC offers, but I don't care for the "ear plugged up" sensation on the one side when using ANC, and the ANC is sort of the whole point for me personally.

This is obviously not Apple's fault .. it just seems to be a slightly tighter ear canal on the right side maybe?

I'm returning them as well this weekend and going back to the AirPods 2's. I can't get used to the new shape and it is causing a sore in the inner canal of my ears

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm returning them as well this weekend and going back to the AirPods 2's. I can't get used to the new shape and it is causing a sore in the inner canal of my ears

Just returned from a 6 mile walk with them and it was a little better I guess?

The bigger story, though, is that I compared ANC on/off on my route at several spots and I was somewhat blown away with how much the ANC was doing a really important noise reduction and hearing health thing for me. Ambient noise is really something you don't fully appreciate until you can on the spot compare with it "reduced" or not.

It's making me think I might keep the AP4-ANC just for the walks along noisier routes only.

My AP2s were already not getting displaced in my around the house and gym roles, where ANC would be off anyhow, so I guess I have to decide if the cost is worth keeping just for noise reduction on walks.

My initial feeling is probably "yes", as hearing health is something I care a lot about honestly.

More testing over the weekend for sure

 

[turbineseaplane]

Does anyone know of something else that's "open" but does ANC as well -- like the AirPods 4?

I'd be open to any sort of cheap knockoff / off brand solution for this specific usage role

 

[jido]

When you answer a phone call near a busy road you really appreciate how good they are. It is a specific use case but I think it makes them easily worth it.

 

[Stotka]

After some more testing of the fit. They are a bit looser for my ear than the 3. During gym time they would start getting loose if I’m doing a lying down flat exercise while jaw is moving due to strain. Reaching downwards so my head is almost upside down makes them get loose and sometimes almost fall out. A re adjustment is needed 90% of the time.
The audio quality and ANC really overpower any faults to the shape I can find compared to the 3. Life is so much more relaxing.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

I just had them since yesterday. While the ANC works great, it still made me dizzy like my Pro 2.

I might still keep them since I prefer to not have ear tips, but yeah unfortunately ANC for Airpods 4 may not be for everyone.

 

[Rolando77]

Well is and old topic but I had AirPods Pro 2 and returned because something was not right, felt a bit dizzy, lightheaded, something strange. I though everything was in my mind, but anyway returned them because I was not enjoying them. Then I bought some wired IEMs and I didn’t have any problem, one year later I bought the AirPods 4 anc hoping that they deísmo give me the sensation that AirPods Pro 2 but… man, don’t know what’s happening with Apple AirPods, they get me extremely dizzy, with and without transparency… ANc off and on, just putting them without music it’s uncomfortable, I feel my ears clogged, lightheaded, sick. It’s a pitty I want to like them they are extremely convenient, and sondwise they are nice for a Bluetooth set.

I’m not a conspiracy guy in any way, and I truly want to like them but I just feel this is not “safe” nor good for my health.

 

[Benz63amg]

Well is and old topic but I had AirPods Pro 2 and returned because something was not right, felt a bit dizzy, lightheaded, something strange. I though everything was in my mind, but anyway returned them because I was not enjoying them. Then I bought some wired IEMs and I didn’t have any problem, one year later I bought the AirPods 4 anc hoping that they deísmo give me the sensation that AirPods Pro 2 but… man, don’t know what’s happening with Apple AirPods, they get me extremely dizzy, with and without transparency… ANc off and on, just putting them without music it’s uncomfortable, I feel my ears clogged, lightheaded, sick. It’s a pitty I want to like them they are extremely convenient, and sondwise they are nice for a Bluetooth set.

I’m not a conspiracy guy in any way, and I truly want to like them but I just feel this is not “safe” nor good for my health.

yup, exactly how i feel about every airpods design except for the original Airpods and Airpods 2's which fit like a glove.

 

[Rolando77]

yup, exactly how i feel about every airpods design except for the original Airpods and Airpods 2's which fit like a glove.

It’s a pitty, AirPods 2 do not get you dizzy?

 

[Jackbequickly]

It is strange but people react differently to the ANC. Works great for me but I know others who also complain about the ANC effect.

 

[Rolando77]

For me it’s just not ANC, even having them with ANC off makes me a little dizzy. In fact I have the feeling that there is always some kind of ANC on in AirPods 4 ANC, even when turned off mode. When you take off one AirPod you feel that that slight ANC is actually turned completely off. Don’t know if I’m explaining right.

 

[Jackbequickly]

For me it’s just not ANC, even having them with ANC off makes me a little dizzy. In fact I have the feeling that there is always some kind of ANC on in AirPods 4 ANC, even when turned off mode. When you take off one AirPod you feel that that slight ANC is actually turned completely off. Don’t know if I’m explaining right.

Have other AirPods done the same? Very strange. When ANC is off, I am pretty sure it is off. Maybe is the spacial effect? Turn it off if you can.