So, i bought my airpods when they first launched, and of course just as the warranty ran out the volume started going down, a lot on the left (at least 50%) and about 25% on right. If i rotated them so the stems were parallel to the ground instead of perpendicular as they were designed to be worn, then magically i could hear them.
My first thought was maybe mu hearing was going, or maybe somehow my ear canals had stretched and the front facing grills were butting up to the wall of my ear canal. I quickly ruled this out by putting in my wired earpods that still sound fine. Since they both have the same form factor, i can ruled that.
So i researched on line and found some online info stating it was probably ear wax build up and dirt and to clean them off. So i did, with a tooth pick, i gently dug out some build up from the grills...yeah i know, gross. but that did nothing.
I saw a tutorial online about removing the screens and burning off dirt and wax from the screen, but i was not about to do that, because i know i would never get the screens back in as i tried this on one of my wired earpods.
Then I stumbled across a forum with a post where someone said they sucked on the front grill, and now magically the sound is back... I then read a few more responses, and there seemed to be an overwhelming majority of people shocked that it worked for them too. My first thought was that it was a bunch of pranksters trying to get people to destroy their expensive headphones. So i ignored it.
As a last attempt i called apple support who could find no record of volume loss as a com on problem and could not offer a solution, and told me that since my 1 year warranty had passed, then my only option was to replace the buds at something like $69 each! might as well buy new ones i thought...and said no way would i dump another 160 on headphones.
So at work today. i finally had it, decided i would try another brand of headphones, but before spending the money, i tried the sucking tip. at first i did not try too hard, and nothing happened... but then input just a touch more suction into it, until i could tell that air was pulling in through the screen on the side. Sceptically i put it in my ear and was shcocked! IT WORKED! i have full volume
So, i am not sure what it did, i did not pull away with a mouth full of wax. If anyone knows why this works then please let us know. I can only vouch for my experience, but if you are at a place where you are going tomgive up on your airpods, then give this a shot before you toss them, and only if your warranty is passed the 1 year mark.
I do not know why apple does not offer extended apple care on airpods, but if you can get extended warranty through a third party that might be the way to go. I am not sure if this fix will last, but 2 hours in and they sitll sound great
