AirPods Pro 3 noise cancellation has become significantly weaker over time — current firmware 9A348 Hello everyone

The active noise cancellation on my AirPods Pro 3 was excellent when I first received them. However, it has become significantly less effective over time, and considerably more external sound now seems to get through.

This feels like a substantial deterioration, rather than a small difference. I noticed the weaker performance approximately one month ago, around August 2026, although I cannot identify the exact date or firmware version when it began.

Importantly, the problem was already present before the recent 9A348 update, so I am not attributing the original decline specifically to that release.

My current device information:

• Product: AirPods Pro 3
• Model number shown in Settings: A3065
• Earbud firmware version: 9A348
• Charging case firmware version: 9A347a
• Approximate time I noticed the decline: August 2026
• Firmware version when ANC worked best: Unknown
• Firmware version when the decline began: Unknown

My impression is that the ANC was much stronger initially and became weaker after subsequent updates. However, I do not have controlled measurements or a record of previous firmware versions, so I cannot confirm whether firmware caused the change.

I found other AirPods Pro 3 owners describing similar experiences:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256226157

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256239972

Those reports concern firmware 8B34, rather than my current version. The authors describe reduced ANC despite steps such as checking the acoustic seal, re-pairing, or resetting their earbuds. These are their troubleshooting results, not tests I am claiming to have performed myself.

I would appreciate help with the following:

1. Has anyone else experienced a substantial decline in AirPods Pro 3 noise cancellation after initially excellent performance? If so, which firmware versions were involved?

2. Are there any documented changes to ANC behavior in recent firmware releases, or any controlled before-and-after measurements?

3. What is the best way to distinguish a firmware-related change from an ear-tip seal issue, microphone obstruction, or a hardware fault?

4. Has anyone successfully restored the original ANC performance? If so, what specifically resolved it: cleaning, new ear tips, resetting, a later firmware update, or a hardware replacement?

5. Can an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider test ANC performance specifically, including cases where the earbuds still connect and play audio normally?

6. Is there any supported way to reinstall or roll back the firmware, or manually adjust ANC strength beyond selecting Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Adaptive mode?

I would particularly appreciate replies with specific firmware versions, repeatable comparisons, or firsthand service and replacement outcomes.

The original noise cancellation was a major reason I liked these earbuds, and I would like to understand why the experience has changed so much and whether it can be restored.

Thank you.