I suspect the issues weren't actually resolved by the date they claim.
Also, more annoyingly, they offered replacement refurbished left and right pods for $89 each. I can go to Costco and buy a new pair with a new charging case for only $2 more.
Moral of the story: Airpods are unreliable, if you buy them then also buy the extended warranty from Apple.
I also have this issue. I have a hunch that the glue inside the stem that holds the microphone in place fails, and so the tick is the microphone striking the stem/housing. I find if I hold my head very, very still, that clicking noise will stop.
:-) my music makes my head bop.
If they don't want to diagnose their hardware, then they should just exchange them with no questions asked. Getting denied on a repair "cuz the computer said so" is crap.
One of my AirPods Pro has an annoying tick. It's like a metronome (regular) and orthogonal to the music I'm listening to.
I've taken it to the Apple Store, but instead of the service rep putting it in their ear to confirm the issue, they use some machine that checks and, in my case, "computer says no!" to my complaint. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n_Ty_72Qds
The rubber around the ear insert is changeable, so it wouldn't be unhygienic for them to listen directly.
Their refusal at an exchange has caused me to eschew trusting them for the new AirPods, and instead I've moved on to another brand.