How to Put on Headphones Properly for Maximum Comfort and Performance?

Say you're excited to test out a new pair of headphones that you recently purchased. Even if you're wearing headphones, something doesn't feel quite right. You experience some discomfort—not enough to cause pain, but enough to be obvious and bothersome enough to draw your attention away.

As a result, you frequently find yourself fiddling with your headphones to acquire a better fit, but even then, you frequently have to prevent them from slipping off your head.

As absurd as it may seem, a lot of people have this problem, particularly when using headphone models they are unfamiliar with. This usually happens when you don't wear your headphones correctly.

For that reason, this post will act as a guide to help you use your headphones appropriately so that you can enjoy the maximum level of comfort and keep your device's full functionality. We'll also go over some pointers that you should remember to make yourself comfortable when listening to music or working out.

What Makes Proper Headphone Wearing Important?

Trying to watch a movie or fully immerse yourself in your favourite song while having to continually readjust your headphones—can you picture either scenario? It doesn't sound like the most perfect situation, does it?

Just a few of the issues that may arise from improper headphone wear are listed here.

However, that is not where it ends. When headphones are worn incorrectly, they can cause headaches and even cause pain or discomfort in your ears. Whether you wear your headphones the wrong way or not, the wire might impede your movement, which can be problematic whether you are working out or going for a run.

You may be thinking, and you would be correct, that it would be nearly impossible to enjoy oneself in these situations.

Because of this, using your headphones properly can significantly enhance your whole listening experience. Not only can wearing headphones properly maximise the experience of the music you're listening to, but it can also maximise the benefits of the headphones themselves.

Since you'll be utilising your headphones as the designers intended, wearing them correctly will contribute to their longevity and upkeep. Because a suitable fit guarantees a more stable seal for superior sound isolation and breathability based on the headphone design, you can also expect greater sound quality from the headphones.

How to Properly Wear Over-Ear and On-Ear Headphones?

Although over-ear and on-ear headphones may seem identical at first, it's crucial to understand that they differ significantly and can have an impact on how you use them in general.

Compared to over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones are often more compact and smaller. The tiny ear cups on these headphones sit above your ears without completely enclosing them.

Conversely, over-ear headphones feature ear cups that are larger and encircle your ears. The ear cups' cushioning is sufficiently roomy to completely enclose the ears and create a secure seal.

The guidelines that follow are applicable to both over-ear and on-ear headphones.

1. Ascertain the on-ear or over-ear headphones' left and right sides. Typically, there are markers that read "L" and "R" on each side, indicating the correct orientation.

2. After making sure you are oriented correctly, put on your headphones. Put each ear cup directly on your ears and the headband over the centre of your head.

3. If you're wearing on-ear headphones, experiment with the location of the earpads until you find a position that lets you hear the audio clearly without being too tight or uncomfortable. Make sure the earpads on over-ear headphones properly enclose your ears. It is beneficial to reposition the headphones so that your ears are centred in the ear cups and that no portion of them protrudes from the pads.

4. Adjust the other components of the headphones as needed. To make the cord less obtrusive, you can change the headphones' height, the headband's clamping force, and—for wired headsets—where it is positioned. Feel free to experiment with the positioning to see what fits you the most comfortably.

How to Put on Earbuds and In-Ear Headphones?

Similar remarks apply to earbuds and in-ear headphones, which have distinct features that differentiate them from one another despite having somewhat similar appearances.

The purpose of in-ear headphones is to remain inside the ear. These headphones typically feature ear tips made of a soft substance that helps build a trustworthy seal within the ear and holds the device in place.

In contrast, earbuds are not truly housed within your ear canal. These, on the other hand, are made especially to remain in the area immediately outside of your ear canal. Earbuds often have tiny drivers that sit just outside of the ear rather than soft ear tips.

For earbuds

The only thing that differs while using earbuds compared to on-ear or in-ear headphones is that, in order to prevent them from falling out, you should make sure that the earbuds are comfortably nestled into the nooks and crannies of your ear folds.

1. Ascertain the earbuds' left and right sides. Typically, there are markers that read "L" and "R" on each side, indicating the correct orientation.

2. After ensuring the correct orientation, insert the earbuds. Make sure each earbud fits snugly on the concha of your ear before placing it on the matching side of your head.

3. You might want to search for earbud-compatible accessories if you're still experiencing problems keeping your earphones in your ears. These can help prevent the earbuds from falling out. Choose what could work best for you from the many possibilities available, such as having wingtips or ear hooks.

For in-ear headphones

In-ear headphones can be worn in two major ways, depending on how they're built. These are the straight-down method and the over-the-ear/around-the-ear method.

The primary distinction between the two is that, whereas the latter employs standard ear tips, the former needs unique ear tips that necessitate positioning the headphone drivers such that the wire can loop around the ear.

The user handbook that came with the product is the best resource to consult if you're still unsure about whether to wear your in-ear headphones down or over your ears.

How to Reduce Discomfort When Wearing Headphones?

These are some general pointers for consumers who wish to make sure they have a comfortable headphone experience.

Select the appropriate style of headphones

Trying on various kinds and getting a feel for them is the most reliable technique to determine which kind of headphones are ideal for you. This enables you to ascertain with precision which headphones provide the most comfort.

If you can borrow or try on other headphones from friends or family for a few hours to see if you have any issues wearing them for that length of time, it would be helpful.

Always make sure it fits

It doesn't matter how good or costly your headphones are if they don't even fit you properly. While this advice primarily relates to in-ear headphones that have changeable ear tips, it's beneficial to understand how important it is to get a good fit for other kinds of headphones as well.

Here's how to choose which in-ear headphones are the right fit for you:

1. Put on the headphones and listen to any song using the stock ear tips.

2. Take out the factory ear tips and swap them out for compatible, sized alternatives.

3. Play the song you were listening to before.

4. Evaluate whether the audio quality and your level of comfort have improved or decreased.

5. If the condition improves, stop here and keep the ear tips on. Feel free to use a different size if it becomes worse.

6. Continue the process until you locate a set of ear tips that fit and are most comfortable, all while enhancing the quality of the sound.

Take off any jewellery or eyewear that can obstruct the path

Wearing earrings or other ear piercings is not recommended when using headphones since these items can harm the headphone padding or ear cups in addition to causing pain or discomfort.

While wearing glasses or other eyeglasses with headphones is doable, it could take some extra work to ensure that the experience doesn't suffer overall.

Check out our post on how to wear glasses with headphones for additional information on how to accomplish this.

Be a responsible headphone user

The most important thing when using headphones responsibly is to put your comfort and ear health first. It's possible that wearing your headphones constantly for extended periods of time will cause some degree of discomfort, even if you use them correctly.

Every hour or so, try to remove your headphones and give your ears a little massage to allow them to air out. Maintaining your device's audio at no more than 80% volume also helps.

Conclusion

You should now be able to wear your headphones comfortably for the optimum listening experience if you keep these pointers and the thorough instructions in mind. Not only may you wear headphones as designed, but you also need to be aware of the things to avoid in order to minimise general discomfort when wearing them.