Note (October 2026): An earlier version said poorly fitting earbuds stop the ears producing earwax. Earbuds do not stop wax production; they can block its natural outward movement, as corrected below.
To make earbuds more comfortable, fit the right ear tip size (many earbuds include several sizes), switch to softer silicone or memory-foam tips, insert them gently without forcing a deep seal, keep the volume at or below about 60% of maximum, and take a short break every hour. If they still hurt, try over-ear headphones.
Key Takeaways
- Most earbud pain comes from a poor fit: the wrong ear tip size, a hard shell pressing on the outer ear, or wearing them too long.
- Try every ear tip size in the box; the left and right ears may need different sizes.
- WHO guidance: about 80 dB is safe for up to 40 hours a week, and only about 4 hours a week at 90 dB.
- Do not clean ears with cotton buds; clean the ear tips instead and let earwax leave the ear naturally.
- Pain that does not settle, or any change in hearing, is a reason to see a doctor or audiologist.
You’re an hour into your podcast episode, favorite song playlist, or an important business call when suddenly you start to feel your ears ache. Ear soreness from earbuds is common, and it usually comes down to four things: fit, pressure, volume and how long the earbuds stay in.
Audio and microphone quality shouldn’t be the only thing major earbud brands focus on. Many people now wear earphones for hours a day, both for music and for virtual meetings, so comfort matters as much as sound. Pain from long term headphone use is usually avoidable with the right ear tip size, lower volume and regular breaks.
Many earbud companies have optimized their products for the average user, but there are some additional steps we can take to make our listening experience more comfortable than ever before.
What Causes Ear Pain Related to Earbud Use?
The ear is made up of flexible cartilage that slightly bends with pressure. Earbuds press constantly on the outer ear and the entrance of the ear canal, so an earbud or ear tip that is the wrong size or shape can cause pain or discomfort.
Cheap earbuds are not made with comfort in mind, so they tend to have an unnatural design to them, forcing our outer ear to contort to an abnormal shape. Earbuds should not be a one-size-fits-all accessory.
Wearing earbuds for an excessive period of time can cause the outer ear to ache. Not to mention, long-term use can cause chaffing, itchiness, and skin irritation in some people, especially, if the user has an allergic reaction to the materials the earbuds are made of. Earbuds do not stop the ears from producing earwax. What they can do is get in the way of the ear’s natural self-cleaning: the UK clinical reference GPnotebook notes that excess earwax is common in people who use earbud-type earphones, and lists earplugs and hearing aids among the risk factors for impacted earwax, which can cause discomfort and muffled hearing.
Music lovers tend to listen to their music at a high volume – Turning the volume up is the easiest way to drown out background noise, which is exactly why it is risky. Loud music damages the ears over time: according to the US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss, and personal listening devices at maximum volume reach about 94-110 dBA. This can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, buzzing and humming in the ears, and overall ear pain.
What Can You Do To Prevent Ear Pain Caused by Earbud Use?
With all the remote positions out there on the market, some of us can’t get out of using earbuds during our 9 to 5 (hopefully, not for the entirety of our 9 to 5). However, there are many things you can do to prevent the risks of excessive earbud use.
Invest in High-Quality Earbuds Made From a Flexible Material
Lots of earbuds on the market are made of cheap plastic, which can cause discomfort to the outer ear. Some earbuds use soft silicone or memory-foam ear tips that conform to the ear’s natural shape and reduce pressure points.
Price alone does not guarantee comfort. A correctly sized, soft ear tip usually matters more than the brand, so check which tip sizes a model includes before buying.
Switch to Headphones With An Adjustable Headband
If you’re prone to ear aches from earbuds, you might want to consider investing in a pair of over-the-head headphones. Instead of causing pressure directly on your outer ear like earbuds, headphones distribute pressure around your entire ear and the side of your head.
The headband is adjustable and flexible, fitting most head shapes and sizes. Because over-ear headphones are not inserted into the ear canal, they do not block the natural outward movement of earwax the way in-ear buds can.
Listen to Audio at Lower Volumes
This one is simple, although it can be harder for people who already have some hearing loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests keeping a device at no more than 60% of maximum volume; lower volumes help prevent further damage and also reduce the urge to push earbuds deeper to block outside noise.
Frequently Adjust Earbud Position
If you have to wear earbuds for long stretches, take them out now and then and reseat each one. Changing the position stops the earbuds from pressing on the same spot for hours.
Take a Break
Take regular breaks from earbuds; WHO safe listening guidance suggests resting the ears in a quiet space for about 10 minutes after every hour of exposure to loud sound. Between meetings and calls, remove your earbuds. If you can, attend some meetings without using them. Additionally, try listening to your music and podcasts from your phone or computer audio!
Clean Earpads Periodically
Earwax and skin oil build up on ear tips and earbud mesh. Wipe the tips and housings regularly following the maker’s cleaning instructions, and replace worn tips. The ears themselves do not need scrubbing: the NHS says earwax normally falls out on its own and warns against putting fingers or objects such as cotton buds in the ear.
Schedule Professional Ear Cleaning
Cleaning your ears with Q-tips is harmful to the overall health of your ear, and can potentially cause impacted earwax, ear infections, and injuries. It is advised that you should never put any objects like Q-tips into your ear canals. However, your primary physician can offer you professional ear cleaning that is safe and effective.
They will first inspect your ears for any injuries or foreign objects and then, soften the earwax build up, and flush out the ear canal with a warm water and saline solution. The NHS lists electronic ear irrigation and microsuction as the usual clinic treatments for earwax build-up, and suggests 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil, 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days, as a first step at home.
Get Frequent Ear Checkups
It’s important to take care of your ears for your overall physical and cognitive health. Part of this process includes getting frequent ear checkups.
This can go hand-in-hand with your professional ear cleaning appointments, but it is important to have a professional check on the health of your ears. They can also provide a hearing test to make sure your hearing is still at optimal levels.
Conclusion – How to Make Earbuds More Comfortable
Your ability to properly hear is closely linked to cognitive and mental health, especially in your older years. It’s important to take the necessary precautions and look after your hearing and the overall health of your ears.
If you need to wear earbuds for extended periods, follow these tips. High-quality, flexible earbuds or headphones can help reduce pressure on the ears, but listening to audio at lower volumes, getting frequent cleanings and checkups, and taking a break from earbud use will help your ear health overall.
How Do You Find the Right Ear Tip Size?
The right ear tip size is the smallest tip that still forms a gentle seal without pressure. A tip that is too big presses on the ear canal and aches; a tip that is too small falls out and leaks sound, which tempts listeners to raise the volume.
- Start with the medium tip that comes fitted, seat the earbud gently and twist it slightly into place rather than pushing it deep.
- If the earbud feels loose or bass sounds thin, try the next size up.
- If the tip feels tight or sore after a few minutes, try the next size down.
- Test each ear separately; Apple notes that some people need different sizes for the left and right ears.
- Use the fit test in the companion app if the earbuds have one.
As an example, Apple says AirPods Pro ship with three to five ear tip sizes depending on the model (sizes from XXS to L, marked inside the tip), with the medium size attached. AirPods Pro 1 and 2 offer an Ear Tip Fit Test, and AirPods Pro 3 an Acoustic Seal Test, under Settings, then Bluetooth, on a connected iPhone or iPad.
Which Ear Tips Are Most Comfortable?
| Option | How it feels | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone tips | Soft, smooth, easy to clean | Everyday use, workouts | Need the correct size to seal |
| Memory-foam tips | Compress, then expand to fill the canal | People between sizes, noise isolation | Wear out faster; harder to keep clean |
| Open-fit (non-sealing) earbuds | Rest in the outer ear without a seal | People who dislike in-canal pressure | Let in outside noise, which can tempt higher volume |
| Over-ear headphones | Pressure spread around the ear and head | Long calls and work sessions | Heat, and clamping force on some models |
Whatever the type, comfort is personal; trying more than one tip style is usually cheaper than replacing the earbuds.
How Loud and How Long Is Safe?
Safe listening depends on both volume and time. According to the WHO’s safe listening guidance (updated March 2026), the weekly limits for adults are:
| Average sound level | Safe listening time per week |
|---|---|
| 80 dB | Up to 40 hours |
| 85 dB | About 12 hours 30 minutes |
| 90 dB | About 4 hours |
| 95 dB | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
For comparison, the NIDCD puts normal conversation at 60-70 dBA and personal listening devices at maximum volume at 94-110 dBA. Well-fitted or noise-cancelling earbuds help because they block background noise, so the volume does not have to go up. The WHO also suggests using apps or built-in device features to monitor listening levels.
The stakes are real: the WHO estimates that more than 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss from unsafe listening practices, and that by 2050 over 700 million people will have disabling hearing loss. For warning signs, see this guide to hearing loss signs and what to do.
Common Mistakes That Make Earbuds Hurt
- Pushing earbuds deep to block noise, instead of choosing a larger tip or noise cancelling.
- Never trying the other tip sizes supplied in the box.
- Wearing them all day without breaks, including through back-to-back calls.
- Raising the volume to cover background noise.
- Using cotton buds to clean the ears, which the NHS says pushes earwax further in.
- Ignoring dirty or worn tips, which can irritate the skin of the ear canal.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Mild soreness that fades after a break is usually a fit problem. Ear pain that does not settle, itching or a rash where the earbuds sit, a blocked or muffled feeling, ringing, or any drop in hearing should be checked by a doctor or audiologist rather than treated at home. ENT Health, the patient site of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, suggests that people prone to repeated earwax blockage, or who use hearing aids, see a doctor every six to 12 months.
Shopping for a new pair? Compare options in these guides to earphones for fitness and choosing boAt earphones, or read the Polk Audio Buckle headphones review if over-ear headphones suit you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my ears hurt after wearing earbuds?
Ears usually hurt after earbud use because of constant pressure from an ear tip or shell that is the wrong size, wearing them for hours without a break, or listening loudly. Trying a smaller or softer tip and taking hourly breaks fixes most cases.
Are foam ear tips more comfortable than silicone?
Memory-foam ear tips suit many people because they compress and then expand to fill the ear canal, spreading pressure more evenly. Silicone tips are easier to clean and last longer. Neither is better for everyone; the correct size matters most.
How long can you safely wear earbuds?
Safe earbud time depends on volume. The WHO says about 80 dB is safe for up to 40 hours a week, falling to about 4 hours a week at 90 dB. It also advises resting the ears for about 10 minutes after every hour of loud listening.
Can earbuds cause earwax build-up?
Earbuds do not make the ears produce earwax, but they can block the wax’s natural movement out of the ear. GPnotebook notes that excess earwax is common in people who use earbud-type earphones; the NHS advises against removing it with cotton buds.
Are over-ear headphones better for your ears than earbuds?
Over-ear headphones are often more comfortable for long sessions because they do not sit inside the ear canal and spread pressure around the ear. For hearing, volume and listening time matter more than the type of headphone.
Justwebworld has published guides since 2012. How we write and update articles Report an error
