Earbuds are a great way to enjoy music while you exercise, clean your house, or otherwise go about your day, but keeping them in place can be a challenge. All it takes is to move a little too much or have someone brush against you, and one of your earbuds is lying on the ground. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your earbuds from falling out of your ears no matter what you might be doing.
How Do I Stop My Earbuds Falling Out?
Check the User Manual for Markings and Instructions
When you buy a new pair of earbuds, read the manual before you use them. Not all earbuds are the same. You can't just put them in your ears and expect them to work perfectly for you immediately. Your manual will tell you which earbud goes in which ear, how to keep them in place, and what you can do if they keep falling out.
Wear Your Earbuds the Right Way
If you don't want your earbuds to keep falling out, you need to wear them properly. Make sure each bud is in the right ear. Most earbuds will have "L" and "R" markings to indicate the right ear and left ear. Adjust each earbud so that they fit comfortably in your ear canals. If your earbuds have an over-the-ear cable design, make sure that the cable sits over your ears. Having the cable hang in front of you will make your earbuds more likely to fall out.
Firmly Insert Your Earbuds in Your Ear
Gently pull your earlobe downwards to help elongate and straighten your ear canal. This should create a clearer path for the earbud. While holding your earlobe, insert the earbud carefully.
Make sure it's comfortably positioned. Release your earlobe afterwards allowing the canal to return to its natural shape. This should create a ‘lock’ that keeps your buds in place.
Choose the Right Ear Tips
Most earbuds come with different ear tips that you can swap out. You must find tips that fit your ears. Try a few until you find the one that you feel comfortable wearing. You'll know when you have the right ear tips when you notice a significant drop in ambient noise and increased bass quality when using your earbuds.
Keep Sweat Out for Your Ears
Also, consider the type of material. Most ear tips are made from silicone, foam, or rubber. Silicone tips are much more preferred as they are easy to clean and durable. Foam tips, on the other hand, provide better sound quality and a customized fit. However, it can easily get wet during high-intensity activities.
Always Clean Your Earbuds
If your earbuds keep slipping while you exercise, you might have excess sweat in your ear canals. A sweatband around your head should help keep your ears clean and dry.
Your earbuds will collect dirt, grime, and earwax over time. Not only does this make them unsanitary to use, but they can affect how well they fit in your ears.
If your earbuds have removable tips, take them off. Silicone tips can easily be cleaned with mild soap and water. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the exterior of the earbuds. Avoid using water directly on them.
Don't Use Cotton Swabs to Clean Your Ears
Use a cloth dampened with water and isopropyl alcohol to disinfect the earbuds. Don't soak them. Just a light wipe is sufficient. If there's visible wax or debris on the mesh screen, use a soft-bristled brush to clean it. Be careful not to push the debris inside. Make sure everything is completely dry before reassembling.
Using cotton swabs to clean earwax from your ears for years is highly discouraged by medical professionals. Cotton swabs can push earwax deeper into your ear canal, disrupt your ears' natural cleaning system, and cause injury and infection that could damage your hearing. This makes it harder for your earbuds to stay in place.
To remove earwax from your ears safely, first, apply a few drops of baby oil to the inside of one ear to soften the earwax inside. Once the earwax has softened, gently irrigate your ear with a bulb syringe and warm water. Tip your head to one side to let the water drain from your ear, and pat it dry with a clean cloth. Repeat the process with your other ear.
Use Accessories for Extra Stability
There are plenty of after-market accessories that can keep your earbuds from falling out. These include ear hooks that attach to your earbuds and hook over your ears, ear wings that place a soft rubber "stop" inside your ear, and connecting cords that loop around your neck. You can also purchase replacement ear tips that better fit your ears.
Wear Ear Warmers or Sweatbands
Sweatbands and ear warmers are great accessories to help keep your buds in place, especially when engaging in high-intensity activities. These can also serve as a barrier against sweat, which often causes earbuds to slip.
Ear warmers keep your ears warm as you enjoy your outdoor run during cold weather. This added stability helps you focus on your activity without constantly readjusting your earbuds.
Try Before You Buy
This isn't always an option. But when possible, test different earbuds to assess their fit, comfort, and sound quality. This hands-on approach can help determine if they suit your ears and meet your expectations.
For hygiene, clean the earbuds before and after trying them. You can use a gentle disinfectant or wipes. If in-store trials aren't an option, look for online retailers with favorable return policies. Check if their policies allow you to test the earbuds at home and return them if they don't meet your needs.
What If Your Earbuds Keep Falling Out Beyond Those Ways?
Check for Oval-Shaped Canals
Not all ear canals are perfectly round. If standard tips never seem to "lock" in, you may have oval-shaped canals. Try switching to memory foam tips; unlike silicone, they expand to custom-fit your unique ear shape and provide a much stronger grip.
It Might Be Anatomy, Not User Error
If you’ve tried every tip size and they still slip out, it isn't your fault. Some people have shallow ear canals or unique angles that make traditional earbuds a poor match. An audiologist can confirm your ear shape if you are looking for a definitive answer.
Switch to Open Ear Earbuds That Don't Fall Out
But if none of those methods really work for you, it might be time to switch your gear. That’s exactly why Shokz created the OpenDots ONE: open-ear fitness earbuds, built to solve the fit and stability challenges athletes face every day.
Main Features about OpenDots ONE Secure Fit Open Ear Earbuds
- Open-Ear Comfort: No tips inside your ear canal, reducing pressure and eliminating the “falling out” problem.
- Secure Fit for Movement: Lightweight and ergonomic design that stays put even during high-intensity exercise.
- IP54 water resistant: Built with durability in mind, offering reliable performance for all your training conditions.
- Premium Sound Quality: Engineered to deliver clear audio while keeping you aware of your surroundings.
FAQs about How to Keep Earbuds from Falling out
Is it normal to drop earbuds?
It’s common for earbuds to fall out, especially if they’re not fitted securely. Factors like sweat can cause them to slip, and accumulated earwax can affect the grip. Cleaning your ears and earbuds regularly can help improve your fit. Also, look into earbuds with features like ear fins, hooks, or latching mechanisms. These help stabilize the earbuds and reduce their likelihood of falling out.
Do earbuds fall out if they are too small?
Yes, earbuds can fall out if they are too small. When earbuds are not the right size, they won’t fit securely. This can also affect sound isolation since they cannot form a proper seal in your ear canal. Conversely, earbuds that are too large can cause discomfort.
Do I need bigger or smaller earbuds?
Whether you need bigger or smaller earbuds depends on your ear’s comfort. To find the right fit, use the pre-installed ear tips as your baseline and adjust if necessary. Wear the buds and play audio to check the seal. If the sound is leaking or doesn't feel secure, try different tips.
You can also use your fingers to check your ear canal’s size. Start with your pinky, then increase the size until you find a good seal. Match this to the available ear tips.
Remember, ear canals vary in size. Sometimes, using two different-sized tips for each ear is the best option.
How do you know if earbud tips fit?
You know earbud tips fit properly when they sit securely in your ear. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable wearing them even during long periods. It should create an airtight seal that enhances sound quality.
Conclusion
Having earbuds that fit properly and won't fall out is crucial to your listening experience. Make sure that your earbuds are a proper fit, keep them clean, and look for accessories to help hold them in place. Check out our range of high-quality open-ear headphones and accessories at Shokz.
