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Jamesd123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
118
10
Swindon
Hi


I have had issues with my AirPods Pro's where they damaged my ear drum.

I have raised this issue with Apple and they said they require a medical report.

I am unable to get a medical report due to being in the UK, so NHS doctors don't give out medical reports.

Apple are refusing to discuss the issue with me until I can get a medical report, which is impossible.

Anybody had this before?

Thanks

James
 
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0128672

Cancelled
Apr 16, 2020
5,962
4,783
Sorry to hear that you sustained ear drum damage. From a medical liability perspective, I can understand Apple requiring the medical report before they take any action. You can imagine Apple gets thousands of requests like this and requiring proof is a reasonable response. Good luck once you're able to get tested and get the report.
 
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Jamesd123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
118
10
Swindon
Sorry to hear that you sustained ear drum damage. From a medical liability perspective, I can understand Apple requiring the medical report before they take any action. You can imagine Apple gets thousands of requests like this and requiring proof is a reasonable response. Good luck once you're able to get tested and get the report.

Thanks for your reply, I won't be able to get a report as I said in my original post, the UK don't give them out for stuff like this
 

0128672

Cancelled
Apr 16, 2020
5,962
4,783
Thanks for your reply, I won't be able to get a report as I said in my original post, the UK don't give them out for stuff like this

Ah, I see, and I certainly don't know anything about how NHS works. I thought you meant it wouldn't be possible now because of the pandemic. Regardless I hope a good medical evaluation and treatment for this issue is available.
 

Jamesd123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
118
10
Swindon
Why don’t you sell them and be done with it?

No, they are being returned due to them being faulty, the AirPods Pro's are an awful device, but I can't return them till the stores open.
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Seems to me you should be upset with the NHS. Not Apple.

How so?
Apple are the ones who are being unhelpful and unreasonable not the NHS.
 

theluggage

macrumors 604
Jul 29, 2011
7,888
8,211
How so?
Apple are the ones who are being unhelpful and unreasonable not the NHS.

(edit nb: I think I replied to the wrong post here... point still stands)

Sure, because in countries without public healthcare, I’m sure doctors just hand out medical reports for free... Flap. Oink.

If OP needs a medical report for a civil damages claim they’ll just have to pay cashy money to a doctor to get one privately, just like in any other country. Unless they were planning to hand any settlement they get from Apple over to the NHS to pay for their treatment...

Seriously, though, if you’ve got a credible claim that the AirPods damaged your eardrum then you need to talk to a solicitor, or Apple will tie you in knots and spit you out. Certainly don’t look to internet tech forums for legal advice.

Maybe a no-win-no-fee claims firm will organise a medical report.
 
Last edited:

Longkeg

macrumors 6502a
Jul 18, 2014
565
283
The Nation’s (US) Oldest City
And now for something completely different:

I was struck by the OP’s use of “are” when referring to Apple: “Apple are refusing...”

I wondered if this was common British usage as in the US we would say “Apple is refusing.”

Found an interesting discussion here:

 

chrfr

macrumors G5
Jul 11, 2009
13,676
7,212
And now for something completely different:

I was struck by the OP’s use of “are” when referring to Apple: “Apple are refusing...”

I wondered if this was common British usage as in the US we would say “Apple is refusing.”
In general, yes, this is standard in British English.
 

Jamesd123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
118
10
Swindon
I would love to learn more about this. What happened and how? Are they a threat to the rest of us?

I have had two pairs of AirPods Pro's both have broke. The first pair suffered with sound quality, transparency and noise cancelling issues, my Gen 2 AirPods sounded better.

So I went to apple, they said they was faulty and swapped them.

The second pair had the same issues but worse, disconnecting from bluetooth once a day, sound quality, transparency and noise cancelling was worse, I would often switch between transparency and noise cancelling and nothing would happen it was like it was set on the off position, so I would have to disconnect and connect again.

A few weeks ago, I swapped between between noise cancelling and transparency mode and as I did, the headphone in my right ear let off a high pitch squeal sort of noise, cause they are in ear headphones, the noise went straight through me and it damaged my ear canal and drum. I had instant pain, poor hearing and headaches. Which I still get almost three weeks on.

So I am not best pleased with the quality, I have bought apple products for many years, this is the only item I regret buying, it's awful, I have tried to speak to apple about the issues and they are not interested.

I wish I had just stuck with my Gen 2 AirPods and never upgraded
 

chipchen

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2002
608
247
If you are seeking a replacement from Apple or refund... you should consider escalating. You can email some executives at Apple and see if that finds it way further through to an escalations team.

If you are seeking compensation from Apple for your pain and suffering, then you need to consult an attorney and/or find a private ear specialist that can provide you with what the medical report you need.

I know you're emotionally engaged, but you need to take a step back and see two things:

1. They don't know (presumably from what you told us) what it is you are asking for. They cannot just admit liability here, so they need to take the proper steps to document your claim. Just like any other accident, there needs to be documented damage... whether to a car or to your ear.

2. This is an unprecedented time. During this pandemic, all the rules have changed and things are just not going to be done as normal. You can't expect them to open the store just for you or to make exceptions with support without any documented issues.
 

Jamesd123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
118
10
Swindon
If you are seeking a replacement from Apple or refund... you should consider escalating. You can email some executives at Apple and see if that finds it way further through to an escalations team.

If you are seeking compensation from Apple for your pain and suffering, then you need to consult an attorney and/or find a private ear specialist that can provide you with what the medical report you need.

I know you're emotionally engaged, but you need to take a step back and see two things:

1. They don't know (presumably from what you told us) what it is you are asking for. They cannot just admit liability here, so they need to take the proper steps to document your claim. Just like any other accident, there needs to be documented damage... whether to a car or to your ear.

2. This is an unprecedented time. During this pandemic, all the rules have changed and things are just not going to be done as normal. You can't expect them to open the store just for you or to make exceptions with support without any documented issues.

They have agreed to refund, but they won't do it till the stores are open, so I have to keep hold of them.

I am unable to get a medical report, that's the issue.
 

chipchen

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2002
608
247
They have agreed to refund, but they won't do it till the stores are open, so I have to keep hold of them.

I am unable to get a medical report, that's the issue.

Well, the issue is what you need that medical report for. If all you want is a refund and they’ve granted that, you’ll have to wait like everyone else until the stores are open.

If the medical report is so that you can make a medical claim against Apple, that’s a whole other issue. In which case, like I said, you need to seek an attorney and/or a private healthcare specialist. (Although attorneys usually have their own list of healthcare professionals they keep on speed dial... at least in the US)
 

Brian Y

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2012
3,776
1,064
If you have a genuine medical issue, doctors in the UK will always be able to give you some form of report (although it may cost you).
 

Jamesd123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
118
10
Swindon
No. If your doctor is refusing to provide a report, it's probably because they don't believe that the airpods have caused the issue.

Again wrong, spoke to my GP again today, they said they don't do reports for stuff like ear damage, they said no GP does
 

mick2

macrumors 6502
Oct 5, 2017
251
237
UK
They have agreed to refund, but they won't do it till the stores are open, so I have to keep hold of them.

I am unable to get a medical report, that's the issue.

OP, given that Apple have agreed to a refund what do you need a medical report for?
Is Apple's offer of a refund contingent on them getting a medical report? Or do you need a report for something else?

Its not clear from your postings why you need the report or who has asked for it.
 

Jamesd123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
118
10
Swindon
OP, given that Apple have agreed to a refund what do you need a medical report for?
Is Apple's offer of a refund contingent on them getting a medical report? Or do you need a report for something else?

Its not clear from your postings why you need the report or who has asked for it.

So I was getting a refund anyway due to them breaking, I wanted to raise the issue with them about the damage to my ears and Apple said they need a medical report, I told them I couldn't provide one and no one in the UK could get one due to the NHS, instead of looking into the issue they have said no cause I can't something which is impossible to get.

In my OP I said the following - "I have raised this issue with Apple and they said they require a medical report."

So it is clear from my postings who asked for the report
 

TiggrToo

macrumors 601
Aug 24, 2017
4,205
8,838
So I was getting a refund anyway due to them breaking, I wanted to raise the issue with them about the damage to my ears and Apple said they need a medical report, I told them I couldn't provide one and no one in the UK could get one due to the NHS, instead of looking into the issue they have said no cause I can't something which is impossible to get.

In my OP I said the following - "I have raised this issue with Apple and they said they require a medical report."

So it is clear from my postings who asked for the report

Really don't get the problem here. With any lawsuit you need to provide proof of something.

When it comes to medical issues you need a medical opinion. The NHS is not the place to be going to for that medical opinion - that's not their job. GPs get paid a fixed amount for work they do by the NHS and providing "expert witness evidence" is not something the NHS covers.

There are plenty of Private Practices available out there who'll be more than happy to do this medico-legal work for the appropriate fee.
 
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mick2

macrumors 6502
Oct 5, 2017
251
237
UK
I'm not actually sure that the OP is actually intending to start a lawsuit; he just keeps saying he wants to 'raise the issue'. Very vague, defensive responses.

If it is the former, you're spot on about him needing to get assessed outside the NHS. My other half works in the medical litigation area and this is absolutely not what the NHS would cover.
 
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Aboo

macrumors 65816
Jul 7, 2008
1,017
110
Yeah - I second the comments about seeking an independent evaluation; most otolaryngologists will see private patients and they can give you the report that you need. Many can even give you pictures from their otoscopes of your ear drum. With that, you should be able to take things up with Apple.
 
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