How to Fit Earbuds

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Updated September 29, 2022

If you are new to the world of minuscule headphones, you may wonder how to fit earbuds. Some of the best headphones, after all, are earbuds, and these may struggle to fit in your ears. So what are the steps to get a perfect fit with the best wireless earbuds, and what are some other tips to increase comfort during use? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Earbuds, like the AirPods Pro, are great for exercising, but only if they are comfortable, offer good sound quality, and if they stay in as you vigorously move about.
  • Earbuds actually go inside of your ear canal and create a tight and proper seal to limit external noise; however, not all ears offer the same interior design.
  • Try different earbud tip sizes, choose the correct earbud for each ear, and keep your ear canals clean.

How Do Earbuds Fit in Your Ear?

Earbuds are one of the most popular types of headphones, and it is easy to see why. They are simple, small, and offer great sound, and some are plenty comfortable if you are looking for the most comfortable earbuds. This comfort does not come automatically, however, as you have to learn how to wear earbuds.

Earbuds come with a squishy tip that is meant to rest fully inside of your ear. This tip must form a tight seal, however, which leads to problems for some users, as they have to learn how to fix earbuds.

Insider Tip

If you can, try on the earbuds before you buy them, as each ear canal is as unique as a snowflake.

Tips For Successfully Fitting Earbuds

Nothing is worse than trying to exercise and having your earbuds fall out every five seconds. This can cause some to actually give up on earbuds altogether. Before you do that, learn some basic concepts as to how earbuds work and how to get a great and sturdy fit.

Experiment With Tips

When you buy a pair of earbuds, they typically ship with several different-sized tips to fit inside your ear. However, these tips are designed for common ear canal shapes and earlobe holes. You may fall outside of the norm, thus, the issues you have been experiencing. Luckily, there are many third-party companies that make earbud tips in just about any size imaginable. Experiment with different sizes, affix them to your earbuds, and try again.

Check the Designated Ears

Each earbud may look the same, but they are actually designed to fit a specific ear. Before putting on your earbuds, double-check and triple-check to ensure you are putting each bud in the correct ear. This makes a huge difference, much more than you would initially think.

STAT: Ever since hitting the mainstream in 2016, true wireless earbuds have quickly become the go-to choice for many. (source)

Clean Your Ears

Earwax is just annoying. It messes with your hearing and, incidentally, can also get in the way of achieving a good fit with your earbuds. Have your ears professionally cleaned, or use an at-home ear wax removal kit. After cleaning out your ears, you may be surprised by how much better your earbuds fit.

Earbuds Fit FAQs

What makes earbuds fall out?

Wireless earbuds fall out for a number of reasons, and ill-fitting earbuds are certainly annoying. If the earbuds lack a comfortable seal or perfect seal, they will fall out.

How do you wear in-ear monitors?

In-ear monitors are worn just like wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods Pro. Choose the right tip and get a tight seal. Just like with standard wireless earbuds, they can fall out if not properly fit.

Why do you need a good seal?

For any in-ear headphones, you need a good seal to limit external noise and increase the overall sound quality. This goes for wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods Pro, in-ear headphone monitors, and even custom-made earbuds.
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