A Remarkable Medical Incident: The Case of a Swallowed AirPod

In 2021, an unusual medical case captured public attention when Ben Hsu accidentally swallowed one of his Apple wireless earbuds while asleep. Hsu had fallen asleep wearing his AirPods, a common habit among people who listen to music or podcasts at night. When he woke up, however, he noticed that one earbud was missing and could not be found anywhere nearby.

Concerned about the possibility that he had ingested the device, Hsu sought medical attention at Kaohsiung Municipal Hospital in Taiwan. Medical staff conducted examinations and imaging scans, which confirmed that the missing AirPod was lodged in his stomach and actively moving through his digestive tract. Doctors monitored the situation closely, as foreign objects in the gastrointestinal system can sometimes cause internal injuries, blockages, or require surgical intervention.

Fortunately, in this case, the AirPod’s small size and smooth design allowed it to pass through the digestive system without causing harm. According to reports, doctors determined that surgery was unnecessary and advised Hsu to wait while monitoring his condition. The following day, the earbud was naturally expelled, ending the incident without medical complications.

What surprised both doctors and the public was the condition of the device after retrieval. Despite spending many hours inside the human digestive system—an environment involving stomach acid, moisture, and movement—the AirPod remained structurally intact. After carefully cleaning and drying the earbud, Hsu reported that it continued to function normally, including sound output and wireless connectivity.

Medical experts note that while this case had a fortunate outcome, swallowing electronic devices is potentially dangerous. The batteries and internal components of wireless earbuds can pose risks such as chemical leakage or intestinal damage. Physicians strongly advise seeking immediate medical attention if a foreign object is suspected to have been swallowed, especially devices containing lithium-ion batteries.

Technology analysts also pointed out that this incident unintentionally demonstrated the durability of modern consumer electronics. Apple AirPods are designed to withstand sweat, moisture, and minor environmental exposure, but surviving the digestive system was an unexpected stress test. However, experts caution that such durability should not be interpreted as safety for ingestion under any circumstances.

The case serves as both a medical curiosity and a reminder about safe device usage. Wearing earbuds while sleeping increases the risk of accidental ingestion or airway obstruction, particularly for individuals who move frequently during sleep. Health professionals recommend removing earbuds before sleeping to avoid similar incidents.

Ultimately, Ben Hsu’s experience stands out as a rare combination of medical luck and technological resilience, highlighting how everyday technology can sometimes intersect with human health in surprising and unconventional ways.

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Sources

• Daily Mail. Man Swallows AirPod While Sleeping and Passes It Naturally.

• BBC News. Doctors Warn of Dangers After Man Swallows Wireless Earbud.

• National Institutes of Health (NIH). Management of Ingested Foreign Bodies in Adults.

• Mayo Clinic. Swallowed Objects: Symptoms and Treatment.

• Apple Inc. AirPods Environmental and Durability Specifications.