AirPod Headaches – Everything You Should Know

Lots of people report that their AirPods (or other wireless earbuds) give them headaches when they use them.

From Reddit threads to Apple's own support forums, complaints about pressure, headaches, and discomfort from wearing AirPods are pretty common. So, if this is how you feel when you wear them, you aren't alone.

While Apple hasn't commented publicly on these symptoms as far as I know, users continue to ask whether their AirPods are the reason they keep getting headaches, and if so, why that might be.

In this article, I'm going to explore a few possible reasons that this could be happening, including EMF radiation, Bluetooth exposure, ear canal pressure, and more. I'll also go over some simple ways that you can protect yourself and potentially reduce your headaches!

Do AirPods Cause Headaches?

Back in 2016, when the AirPods first came out, users almost immediately started complaining on the Apple community forums.

Hundreds of people marked that they were also experiencing the same issues.

Some people were just mentioning that they seemed to get headaches almost every time they wore the AirPods for any extended length of time. Others mentioned that they felt “strong pressure” around their ears when using the device.

One forum user wrote: “I was anticipating the AirPods but was concerned about them fitting my ears, as I couldn’t wear the wired earpods comfortably. My solution was to just sort of place them in my ears, without trying to make them fit deeply. I loved the feeling of freedom, loved the sound, and convenience. However, I began noticing a feeling of pressure, then a lot of headaches.  The headaches seemed to slowly go away when I removed the AirPods. Then I would insert them again, and the pressure and headaches began again.”

Another wrote: “I can only speculate (I’m sure I’ll get skewered for using that word) that this has something to do with the Bluetooth signal, or in the case of the phone, cellular signal, which I’ve either become hypersensitive to from years of use, or worse,”

To date, Apple hasn't seemed to comment much on the issue. So, with so many people complaining about AirPod headaches, what are some possible reasons this is happening?

Why Am I Getting A Headache From My AirPods?

There is no one clear answer, and that is likely because it could be a combination of different things, or different issues for different wearers.

However, based on my own research, there are at least two potential main causes that I want to cover: EMF radiation and physical pressure inside the ear canal.

EMF Radiation From AirPods

One strong possibility is the high amounts of EMF radiation being emitted from the device in such close proximity to your head.

In fact, if you use a quality EMF meter (like this one from Amazon), you'll quickly realize just how much radiation AirPods emit (I go into more detail on the radiation risks of AirPods in this full guide).

If you've read my post on EMF exposure symptoms, you probably noticed that one of the most common symptoms of EMF radiation is headaches.

Although this is even more common with people who suffer from electro-hypersensitivity (EHS), it is commonly reported with any length of EMF radiation exposure from cell phones, laptops, smart meters, WiFi, and yes, Bluetooth headphones like AirPods.

What Experts Say

In an article published by Express, Dr. Joel Moskowitz, a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, warned that AirPods could be very dangerous to our health for this very reason.

In an interview with Daily Mail Online in 2015, Dr. Moskowitz said: 

“We are playing with fire here,” Dr Joel Moskowitz, a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, told Daily Mail Online. “You are putting a microwave-emitting device next to your brain. This has been observed over several decades, he says. It’s like we keep rediscovering that Bluetooth is harmful and trying to forget it because we don’t know how to handle it from a policy standpoint.

Although we don’t know the long-term risks from using Bluetooth devices, why would anyone insert microwave-emitting devices in their ears near their brain when there are safer ways to use a cell phone? Essentially, I recommend using corded headsets or hands-free use of cell phones, not wireless earbuds.”

If you want to explore more about what the research says regarding radiation exposure from AirPods and how it compares to other devices, check out my in-depth article on AirPod radiation risks.

Apple did respond to Moskowitz's comments by saying that: “Apple products are always designed and tested to meet or exceed all safety requirements.”

The “safety requirements” that Apple is mentioning are the FCC-mandated specific absorption rate (SAR) limits. A mandated maximum that wireless devices can emit, meant to protect the public from EMF radiation.

So, what is the SAR rating of the Apple AirPods? The listed SAR for the Apple AirPods is .466 watts per kilogram, which is in fact below the FCC limit of 1.60 w/kg.

However, as Dr. Moskowitz has pointed out, a group of more than 200 scientists who study EMF radiation finds that these FCC guidelines are far from adequate to protect human health.

They are not alone; in fact, many groups and organizations believe that the SAR limit of 1.60 w/kg is not adequate, and may very well have been influenced by lobbyists from the telecommunication and electronics industries.

So, are the headaches caused by AirPods from the EMF radiation emitted? 

It is certainly a strong possibility, and one that many researchers believe could be the case, but there is no certain way to know at this point.

So, you may just want to err on the side of Dr. Moskowitz advice:

“Although we don’t know the long-term risks from using Bluetooth devices, why would anyone insert microwave-emitting devices in their ears near their brain when there are safer ways to use a cell phone.

Do Other Bluetooth Headphones Cause Headaches?

Yes, it's not just AirPods that people report getting headaches from.

In fact, if you do a web search just about any Bluetooth or wireless headphone brand followed by “headache,” you'll almost certainly find plenty of users sharing similar issues.

That is because AirPods, although packed with technology, are really not much different in basic design than any other pair of Bluetooth headphones.

This means that other Bluetooth headphones also emit similar levels of EMF radiation.

Why is this important to know?

Well, when it comes to reducing your exposure to EMF and RF radiation, proximity is the most important factor to consider.

Most Bluetooth headphones rest directly against your ears, or worse, sit inside them like some AirPods.

This means that the radiation being emitted is as close as it possibly could be to your brain.

In addition, other Bluetooth headphones can also cause ear canal pressure, which we'll cover next.

Ear Canal Pressure from Apple AirPods

Another possible explanation is physical pressure inside the ear canal.

AirPods are designed to fit snugly so that they don't fall out when you're moving around or being active.

However, for some people, this tight seal can trap air and create a feeling of pressure that can lead to discomfort or even headaches.

Some AirPod wearers describe it as a “fullness” or “pushing” sensation in their ear, which can be more pronounced during long sessions of wearing them.

If you think this might be the issue in your case, there are a few things you can try:

• If you're able to (depending on your AirPod generation), try a different size silicone tip to make for a better fit.
• If you're pair doesn't have silicone tips, then try just resting them in your ears, and not pressing them firmly into place.
• Take short breaks to relieve any built-up pressure inside your ear.

Do Apple AirPods Always Cause Headaches?

No, in fact, considering the millions and millions of pairs that have been sold, the thousands complaining of headaches may, in fact, be a rather small percentage.

However, we certainly can't ignore the many who are complaining of these headaches, and they do seem to be only while wearing the device and shortly after.

How Can I Prevent AirPod Headaches?

If you're having headaches when you wear your AirPods (or other Bluetooth headphones), the good news is that there are a few simple things you can try before you have to decide where to completely give them up.

Adjust the Fit to Relieve Pressure

One of the most common non-EMF reasons that people may be getting headaches from AirPods, is the ear canal pressure we discussed earlier.

Since AirPods are designed to fit very snugly, and everyone has different-sized ears, they can sometimes create a tight seal that traps air and can cause discomfort.

Give this a try:

• Rest the AirPods gently in your ears without pressing them in too deeply
• If you're using AirPods Pro, try out the different silicone tip sizes
• Take short breaks during long use sessions to relieve any built-up pressure

Reduce Your EMF Exposure

If your headaches are caused by Bluetooth radiation, you might want to consider just how closely AirPods are to your brain when you're using them.

Wireless earbuds emit radio frequency (RF) radiation at very close range, which, like we talked about above, many experts believe could be harmful with prolonged exposure.

Here are a few simple ways you can cut back on that exposure:

If this is a concern for you, one of the best things you can do is consider alternatives to Bluetooth headphones.

I personally use and believe in AirTube headphones. I won't go too in-depth here about this since I already have a huge guide on this here.

However, essentially, they are wired headphones, where the top portion of the wire is actually a tube of air. This allows the speakers to be farther down on the cord, away from your head and brain.

This allows you to get distance from a source of radiation (instead of placing it directly in your ear) while still being able to use your phone hands-free and listen to music.

In addition to switching to safer headphones, here are a few other strategies you can try:

• Use only one Airpod at a time – this reduces your radiation exposure by half and gives one side of your brain a bit of a break.
• Keep calls and listening sessions short when possible – The longer you are exposed, the more likely you are to develop related symptoms.
• Avoid weak signal areas – When your phone has a hard time maintaining a Bluetooth or cellular connection, it can force it to work harder, causing a spike in radiation.

Why is this important to know?

Well, when it comes to reducing your exposure to EMF and RF radiation, proximity is the most important factor to consider.

Most Bluetooth headphones rest directly against your ears, or worse, sit inside them like some AirPods.

This means that the radiation being emitted is as close as it possibly could be to your brain.

This is where the inverse square law comes in. It's a basic principle that says:

As you double your distance from a source of EMF radiation, you quarter your exposure to that radiation.

So, even a very small increase in distance, like using wired headphones instead of wireless ones, can make a really big difference.

Final Thoughts: Are AirPods Worth the Headache?

If you regularly get headaches when using AirPods, or other Bluetooth earbuds, you're definitely not alone.

Whether it's due to pressure in the ear canal or EMF radiation exposure, there's a growing number of users reporting the same thing.

The good news? You don’t necessarily have to give up wireless audio altogether. Try adjusting the fit, taking breaks, limiting your usage, or switching to safer alternatives like Airtube headphones.

While I personally don’t recommend using AirPods due to the potential health concerns, you have to make the choice that feels right for your body and your lifestyle. Listen to your own symptoms, and don’t be afraid to explore lower-EMF options if it means fewer headaches and better overall well-being.

If you have questions or want help choosing safer tech, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help.