I Love earbuds. They really give me the versatility and flexibility I need for my daily life. But, I am also aware of the many problems these things bring forth. I’ve been through my share of earbuds, and I know how annoying they can be at times. The main issue with them is that they tend to break at the worst possible moments. After years of experiencing earbuds, I learned how to take care of them in such a way that they last at least three to four times longer than normal. I learned the hard way. Luckily for you, you don’t have to go down the route I did. You don’t have to waste your hard earned cash in order to learn the same lessons. Here are ways you can maximize your earbud experience.
- Quality is in the Dollars: One of the biggest, if not biggest , mistakes people make when buying earbuds is that they go cheap. They figure that they don’t really need to spend 50-100 dollars on something that they’ll only use sparingly. First of all, I don’t believe anyone uses earbuds sparingly. Music is so portable now that people can access it through their phones, their mp3 players, their video game systems, sound docks, satellite receivers, and much more. Music is everywhere, and the best way to control the flow of that music is by using earbuds. Accept the fact that your earbuds will absolutely grow to become a part of your lifestyle. Music is addictive. The most important thing you can do is to buy a good pair. You should look to spend anywhere over 50 dollars. Ideally, you would want to spend over a $100. The problem with cheaper earbuds is that they tend to break very easily. In the short run, you are saving money. In the long run, that 30 dollar pair of earbuds that keep breaking on you will end up burning a massive hole in your pocket.
- Unplug the earbuds: I cannot tell you HOW many times I have broken my earbuds as a result of having them wrapped around my ipod. This damages the structure of the cable, and it bends it in awkward positions. Over time, you’ll notice that your music gets choppy unless you bend the wire in a certain way. This is very annoying.
- Clean your earbuds!: They are in your ears all the time. Over time, ear debris can clog up the phones and mess with inner circuity. Clean the buds often. You might need a needle to take out the contaminants. Do it. Another way of doing would be to run a slightly damp cotton ball around the edges and interiors of the buds.1
- Clean your ears: Keeping your ears clean ensures longer lasting earbuds.
- Carrying case: One of the worst things you can do is ball up your earbuds and throw them into your pockets. Buy a small plastic container that you can place your earbuds in when you’re not using them.
All in all, make sure you buy quality earbuds, and take care of them by making sure that they are handled delicately. Even the most expensive pairs are not indestructible. Treat them well, and they will treat you well.
Footnotes:
1. “How to Clean Your IPod Earbuds – WikiHow.” WikiHow – The How-to Manual That You Can Edit. Web. 21 Aug. 2010. <http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-iPod-Earbuds>
