For the last few months my airpods have been a very quiet. I thought it was because they were getting old and the batteries were dying. After a quick scrub with some cotton buds dipped in isopropyl alcohol they sound like new again!

Really let the cleaning alcohol soak in there and dissolve all of that nasty earwax, and don't forget to let them dry before using them.

Do it now if you can, it only takes a minute :)