Earbud headphones

[Rondar]

Ok, I'm old school with over the ear headphones.  I got a set of earbud thingies for Christmas and have been trying to use them with my phone for talking and music.

My problem is, they wont stay in for very long.  Like 5-10 minutes before I have to shove them back in.  So do I need to switch to another size plug or pad or whatever the little black silicone things are?  Or switch to a different brand or style?

I've seen ones with a plastic thing that looks like it goes around inside the ear but never have seen them outside of the box to see what they are made like.  Any advice on earbud headphones?

[Bizman]

As you suspect, size matters. Try different size sleeves (?), they often come with a variety just for that reason.

As for the inside-the-ear looking ones, they might be tailored for the user. Check http://www.nrml.com/ and http://www.perfectfitears.co.uk/ and http://earfuze.com/ and https://www.westone.com/ not to mention good old Youtube with all those DIY tricks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnmwllxh_Xg&list=RDRnmwllxh_Xg#t=1

[tmetal]

Ive had the same thing happen with the kind I am currently using.  In the past, the ear buds I used were shaped so they hung in the ear and didn't rely on a "friction" fit to hold them in (they have to be shoved into the ear canal deeper than what is comfortable for me in order to not fall out every few minutes). Unfortunately it seems that ear bud design is going more towards the friction kind and the more comfortable kind are dying out.

The older design that works properly:


The new design that is more prevalent now:


Notice that the top picture has a hard plastic piece that stabilizes the speaker in the ear and the second picture doesn't. If the second picture is what you have; your choice is either shove them in deeper and try to ignore the discomfort caused by a large piece of plastic deforming your ear canal or do some shopping around and find the kind from the top picture.  I have had some success making the ear buds in the second picture stay in the ear if I remove the "soft" rubber sleeves entirely; they are still uncomfortable, but the stay in at least.

[Muzzy]

I'm a runner so having ear buds that work is something of an issue for me. The best I've found are yurbuds. You can find them at Amazon or on their website.

[SPKmes]

I'm a runner so having ear buds that work is something of an issue for me. The best I've found are yurbuds. You can find them at Amazon or on their website.

the first step is to admit the problem    haha silly sense of humour I have..bad form to admit such things...

I like the new type bud...get the right sized sleeve and they are great... the older type were always too big for my ear hole and they just didn't stay

[ebfd11]

Here is a set a friend is using and they say the sound quality is great..

http://www.amazon.com/Fuji-Labs-Headphones-Compatible-Smartphones/dp/B00RPOADL0/ref=sr_1_67?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429041732&sr=1-67&keywords=best+noise+cancelling+earbuds

LanDart

[guncrasher]

learn how to put them on properly.  watch youtube videos on how to use safety earplugs.  same principle.


semp

[Dragon]

I bought 2 sets of these http://www.bassbuds.net/usa/our-collections/

We had an issue with a set and sent them back within the 1 year warranty and received a free replacement within a few days.

I used Groupon to get them for $20 each.  Something similar is going on now http://www.groupon.com/deals/bassbuds-11-cleveland?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_dt_sea_ggl_txt_ttt_sr_cbp_ch1_nbr_k*bassbuds_m*e_d*cleveland-rtc-root_g*rtc-bassbuds-11-cleveland-exact_c*60852073028_ap*1t2#

The sound is incredible and they come with 8 sets of different cushions.  I use a white one for my left ear and a different size black one for my right since my ears are apparently different sizes.

[Dragon Tamer]

Ive had the same thing happen with the kind I am currently using.  In the past, the ear buds I used were shaped so they hung in the ear and didn't rely on a "friction" fit to hold them in (they have to be shoved into the ear canal deeper than what is comfortable for me in order to not fall out every few minutes). Unfortunately it seems that ear bud design is going more towards the friction kind and the more comfortable kind are dying out.

The older design that works properly:


The new design that is more prevalent now:


Notice that the top picture has a hard plastic piece that stabilizes the speaker in the ear and the second picture doesn't. If the second picture is what you have; your choice is either shove them in deeper and try to ignore the discomfort caused by a large piece of plastic deforming your ear canal or do some shopping around and find the kind from the top picture.  I have had some success making the ear buds in the second picture stay in the ear if I remove the "soft" rubber sleeves entirely; they are still uncomfortable, but the stay in at least.

That second pair is a more popular style because it acts like noise canceling head phones (actually does a really good job) they also allow for better sound on the low end of the spectrum. I've got a pair that my brother gave me for Christmas that are pretty kick ass. Can't remember the brand name and don't have the packaging for them anymore. They do tend to fall out over time if you are chewing gum, eating or talking (which would defeat the purpose of having them in the first place).

I also saw a new type not too long ago that has the silicone that goes into the ear but it also has a kind of hook that wraps around the top of your ear to help hold it in place. I've never used them though so I couldn't say whether they were any good or not.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I love my Bose qc-20i in-ear monitors. They have active noise canceling so they suppress most of the road noise when driving or engine noise when flying. They also come with three sizes of silicon buds that you can change according to your ear canal size.

They're very comfortable to wear even for long periods. When I'm on a work travel I plug them to my phone and listen to music podcasts all the way. I especially like Daves Lounge and Hospital Records podcasts. The buds also act as hands-free in case someone calls me on the way.