Taking AirPods out of their case for music playback is not a defect, and your AirPods are functioning correctly. What you are encountering is static shock, which can occur in certain weather conditions or environments, such as places with low humidity or strong winds. If you can’t change the circumstances, you might experience the same electric discharge multiple times, as static electricity can accumulate over time and briefly shock you when the AirPods come into contact with your skin.
Apple has a support article that specifically addresses static electricity and Apple devices, including AirPods, the Vision Pro spatial computer, and MacBooks. The company states that static electricity can build up on devices or the human body, resulting in a static shock, and it emphasizes that these occurrences do not signify a problem with the Apple device. Weather isn’t the sole contributor to static shocks; clothing made from synthetic materials can also contribute to these minor shocks. Other activities that can lead to static shock include pulling devices from clothing and exercising with AirPods. “This situation is akin to shuffling your feet on a carpet and receiving a static shock upon touching a doorknob,” Apple notes, mentioning that it can also occur with other electronic gadgets, not just Apple items.