If you have the new Apple AirPods, you’ve likely found them to be an incredibly convenient and useful way to listen to music and take calls on the go. But like anything else, AirPods are bound to annoy and frustrate you from time to time. One such problem that many users face is how uncomfortable they can be during long periods of use, particularly when worn in both ears simultaneously.
This guide on how to make AirPods more comfortable with some easy tricks. Also, I will give you my own invented trick.
Let’s get into it!
How To Make Airpods More Comfortable?
There are basically 3 best ways to make Airpods More Comfortable:
- Experiment with Positioning in the Ear
- Cushion with Foam or Paper
- Altering the headband – Only for Airpods Max
Experiment with Positioning in the Ear
One way that I’ve found very helpful in making my Apple AirPods more comfortable is by experimenting with the positioning. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another so do some exploring and find what’s right for you.
First, pull your earlobe forward and hold it while placing the lower of the two buds on the top of your ear lobe. Now, slide both earbuds down on either side of your ears, angling them towards your cheeks just slightly to achieve a proper seal.
It’s important not to push too hard as this will result in soreness over time. If the angle doesn’t work for you, try again from a different angle until you find something that does feel good.
The last thing to experiment with is how far back they are positioned in your ear canal. A lot of people find it hurts if they insert them too far back but if you want extra sound quality then insert them at least halfway into the canal (again being careful not to push too hard).
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Cushion With Foam or Paper
AirPods are surprisingly comfortable for the most part, but there’s one thing that has a tendency to be a bit painful: pressure.
The reason is simple physics: sound waves are transmitted more efficiently through denser material than air. As you can see in the diagram below, the structure of your ear and your AirPod need to align just right in order for it not to be uncomfortable.
The key is finding a way to soften or change the shape of the spot where they meet. One option is getting some foam or paper padding and trimming it down so that it will fit snugly into your ear (don’t forget duct tape!) while not hurting you too much.
That should make them much more comfortable! If that doesn’t work, try switching up the size of your AirPods by using an adapter.
If all else fails, have a break from listening to music and come back later when you’re feeling less stressed out.
Altering the headband – Only for Airpods Max
There are many ways that you can make your Airpods more comfortable. The most common approach people take is cutting the earbuds to get them a little shorter and closer to the ear.
You can also try altering the headband or purchasing an additional foam set of pads for each bud (available for purchase online).
Altering the headband usually consists of removing one side and adjusting it so that it only wraps around your ear, similar to how standard headphones work.
This will typically result in a snugger fit and less pressure on your ears because they won’t be wedged against each other as much. If you want to do this yourself, then just follow these steps:
Remove one of the silicone pieces from either end of the cord. They are often color coded yellow and white so it should be easy to tell which one’s need to be taken off if not already obvious.
Unwrap both pieces by peeling off where there’s no adhesive holding them together and then fold them in half with the sticky sides facing inward.
Now wrap this newly made loop around your ears with one piece behind your ear and another resting on top of it, creating a hammock effect for your AirPods to rest inside.
Then place the loose ends through the hole created by taking off one of the silicone pieces and tuck them into each other like how you would wrap up a yo-yo string.
Finally, use some water or glue (superglue works well) to hold everything together securely so that it doesn’t come undone later.
When done correctly, this modification will put your AirPods right next to your ears and give you all the sound without putting any extra pressure on them.
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My Successful Experiment
People love their AirPods, but they also seem to hate them too. Why is that? Well, it’s probably because the fit and design of the Apple Wireless Headphones makes it so that your ears are constantly rubbing against the silicone tip.
This can be especially painful if you wear them all day. I’ve been experimenting with a few different ways of making my AirPods more comfortable and want to share my results with you today.
I tried attaching a small piece of foam over each airpod and found that it made a huge difference in how uncomfortable I felt wearing them for a long period of time.
You could also cut out some fabric from an old shirt or pillowcase to make yourself some custom ear covers for the AirPods.
You could use any type of fabric – cotton or fleece would work well – and cut it into 2 inch by 2 inch squares (you will need two per year).
Simply use some clear adhesive tape on one side of each square and attach it onto your AirPod lid as seen in the photo below.
The great thing about this solution is that you can wash your fabric covers when they get dirty! Plus, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of anything else other than your AirPods themselves.
This might not be the most glamorous way to deal with the discomfort that comes along with wearing these wireless headphones all day, but at least it’ll save you from throwing them away.
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