Noise Cancellation seems to be worse and lets in more background noise

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Level 1

6 points

Noise Cancellation seems to be worse and lets in more background noise

I have used the Noise Cancellation feature on my AirPods Pro 2nd generation for a few years now. However, recently they seem to be letting more background noise even when noise cancellation is on. This seems to happen especially at higher frequencies - for example I can now hear my mouse click with noise cancellation enabled when I couldn’t before. I could also hear more of the gym music when trying to listen to my own music so definitely not ideal!

Has anyone else noticed this?

I wonder if maybe the new features provided by the latest firmware upgrade take up more of the limited onboard processing power, therefore leaving less available for ANC?

Or maybe Apple just changed the ANC algorithm altogether?

Thanks in advance!

(Just to clarify, I have already tried cleaning the mic vents, etc. but still noticed this behaviour)

iPhone 11, iOS 18

Posted on Nov 1, 2024 12:13 PM

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Answer 1

lriley1 Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 1, 2024 12:29 PM in response to lriley1

Also just adding this - when I had only one Airpod in and noise cancelling enabled then I could feel a sort of “pressure difference” between the two ears. However I cannot feel this at all now. I know this is a very subjective observation and hard to draw a useful conclusion from but I have definitely noticed it.

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Answer 2

livjg

Level 1

8 points

Nov 18, 2024 4:02 PM in response to lriley1

Same! I have been searching all over to see if anyone has felt the same or had a similar experience. My AirPod Pro 2s are literally brand new. I noticed it the second I put them on after opening. I was using my gen 1s up to that point. I am thinking about going to the Apple Store and asking. Wondering if it is a setting that can be changed.

I try listening to my meditation and relaxing music, but I can still hear literally everything in the background (even popping my knuckles) It sounds like when I had my old AirPods on regular mode. Not noise cancellation or transparency.

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