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Earbuds up close
Silly question:
Ever have a problem with earbuds falling out while you run?
Met up with local runners last week at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark. One fellow mentioned his quest for the perfect headphones – because of the annoyance of earbuds dropping out.
I’ve been vexed by the same indignation. One moment, your legs are effortlessly pushing out the miles and your head is pleasantly thumping to Macy Gray. Suddenly an earbud is dangling with hopes of pulling out the other side.
The hipster silhouettes on iPod commercials never suffer this problem.
Strangely, this appears to be a common problem – there’s even a dorky earbud leash to catch your earbuds when they inevitably fall out.
Some days the earphones fit fine and didn’t ever fall out. Other times, the buds had Mexican jumping beans inside – just waiting to bounce around. Do my ears shrink on very cold days? Pretty baffling.
I experimented with many ideas – I subdued the buds with a knit cap. I twisted the buds into different positions. I even used the squishy earbuds that go in your ear canal (yuck!).
Then I finally read the subtle grey lettering on the buds – “L” and “R”. I’d always ignored left/right (stereo either way, no?). However, Apple builds the buds off-center – each is designed for one ear.
I tried placing the left bud in my left ear. Works like a charm – I’ve never dropped a bud again.
Lesson learned: I might need to invest in a speed reading course – took me months to read two letters.
Update: some readers comment that they’ve tried my left/right trick and it didn’t work for them. If you’re having this problem, left/right works for some (me, for one) – but not everyone.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Earbuds falling out is maddening for me. I tried the left/right thing, but it never worked, maybe one ear, but the other would promptly fall out. I use a light-weight behind the neck style headphone by Maxwell. It has its own set of annoyances, but they never fall out.
the squishy earbuds actually work for me. they still drop out, but not as often as the standard earbuds.
I just use ones that hook around my ear. the ear buds fall out for me too regardless of which bug I put in which ear.
What worked for me definitely doesn’t work for everyone – these are great suggestions.
The funny thing is, headphone ads brag about sound quality when everyone cares a lot more about them just not falling out.
I started using some little covers called Breppies. I took a “flier” on them because they were pretty inexpensive. I didn’t think they would work, but I was surprised by how good they are. Super comfortable and my earbuds didn’t move. I think there are some other marathoners on their site that say the same. Really good.
Dean –
Very interesting. Did you invent these?
I would recommend yurbuds. ( http://www.yurbuds.com ) They are custom fit buds that fit over your earbuds so that they never fall out. I wear mine for all my runs and they’re great. Never fall out and super comfortable!