How To Stop Earbuds From Falling Out When You Run Or Talk


We’ve all faced the issue of falling earbuds when working out, running, cycling, dancing, or just talking. This can occur due to poor earbud design or can even depend on the shape of your ears!

To prevent your earbuds from falling out, you can try stretching your earlobe by hand and inserting the earbud gently (or twisting it to create suction) into the ear canal, then releasing your earlobes to allow it to hold the earbuds firmly. 

If even this doesn’t work and your earbuds fall out, then consider looping your earbuds cable around your ears to tighten them up. You can also wear a sports headband or buy silicon attachments to hold them well within your ears.

However, since each individual has unique ear sizes, it may take a bit of trial and error to figure out the best strategies to prevent your case of falling earbuds.

Here are a few other tips this article will cover to prevent you from having your earbuds fall out the next time you’re jogging:

  • Switch to different earbuds to find one that is ideal for your ear shape. 
  • Use sweatbands or headbands to keep your buds in place.
  • Attaching ear hooks to your earbuds.
  • Trying out ear tips or wings.
  • Buying earbuds that are water and sweat-resistant.
  • Checking your ears for wax buildup.

If you give all the tips mentioned in this article a try, you’re sure to have an easier time holding your earbuds where they should be (In your ears!). So, let’s get right into it!

How To Keep Your Earbuds In Place —A Few Strategies Worth Trying

Getting The Right Earbuds For Your Ears

Did you know that your ears are comparable in uniqueness to fingerprints? According to experts, everyone has unique ear sizes, so they can even be used for identification purposes! 

Although this is excellent news for forensic science, it’s terrible news for earbud enthusiasts. Most manufacturers make earbuds in a one-size-fits-all method —even though everyone has different in-ear sizes!

This doesn’t mean you should fork out tons of cash for custom-designed earbuds, though. Many brands offer different size options and accessories to help accommodate everyone’s unique ear shape and size. 

Just because one earbuds model fell out doesn’t mean you can’t find a better alternative that fits your ears. 

The best way to find out which earbuds are best for you is to try them in person. Never order them online unless you’ve had a chance to try them on physically and see if they stay in place when moving around. 

Make Sure You’re Wearing Earbuds Properly

You’d be surprised how many people don’t take the time to put on their earbuds properly. Unfortunately, some runners aren’t even aware that most headsets have designated left and right earbuds!

To make sure your earbuds are held firmly in place, always try twisting your earbuds slightly into your ears a few times, and pull on your earlobe with your other hand. Finally, gently press the buds into place with your index finger.

It’s important to realize that you don’t want to jam your buds directly into your ears forcefully. But it does help to keep your earbuds somewhat close to the eardrum for better sound quality and stability. 

Consider Using Ear Warmers Or Sweatbands To Keep Them In Place

One of the more sneaky ways to keep your earbuds from falling out is to use an ear warmer to make them fit snugly inside your ears. Not only will this trick help you keep your ears warm in cold weather, but it will also help keep your earbuds firmly in place.

If it’s too hot outside for ear warmers, try using a sweatband instead. Although most sweatbands can only cover your forehead, there are quite a few brands out there that offer sweatbands that can protect your ears as well!

Use Ear Hooks

If your earbuds fall out regularly, then consider using ear hooks. As the name suggests, Ear hooks are accessories that act as hooks over your ears to hold earbuds in place.

This simple accessory gives your earbuds some much-needed stability and can catch your earbuds if they start popping out. They are growing in popularity, and now you can find many options compatible with various earbud models. 

Try Using Eartips Or Ear Wings On Your Earbuds

If ear hooks aren’t your thing, you can go for other alternatives like ear tips or ear wings instead. 

As opposed to ear hooks, both of these go deeper inside your ears. Ear wings curve up to keep your buds balanced, while ear tips go inside the ear canal to keep your buds stable.

While many of these accessories are made from silicone, a few are made with memory foam. Apart from preventing you from having your earbuds fall out, good-quality ear tips can help cancel out ambient noise as well!

Use Sweat-Resistant Earbuds

If you’re someone who loves running, you shouldn’t let sweat get in your way. Sweat and water can loosen your earbuds. That’s why it’s essential to get a pair of earphones that are water or sweat-resistant. 

If you’re someone who tends to sweat a lot or loves running in the rain, these types of headphones can be ideal. They can help prevent your earbuds from sliding and slipping off even when your ears are wet. 

Check And Clean Ear Wax Buildup

Although earwax may seem unpleasant, it’s still a natural part of ear hygiene. Sadly for runners, this greasy substance can make the insides of your ear slippery, which can cause your earbuds to fall out. 

However, that doesn’t mean you should start trying to pull out the wax using Q-tips. Most otolaryngologists are against using Q-tips to yank out ear wax. This is because most of the time, instead of removing earwax, Q-tips push wax deeper inside towards your eardrum and can cause hearing damage.  

If you think that earwax buildup is the root of your earbud woes, then consider consulting with a doctor. For example, a physician may clean your ears in a clinic or may even recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medicine like Debrox. 

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