Anyone else find in-ear headphones really painful?!

[AutumnBrooke]

This might sound weird but I think I must have small or sensitive ear canals as I find wearing any headphones/earphones that you put in your ears really painful and they also fall out! I find the same with earplugs, foam or silicone, I find it really painful to have them in for any longer than a few minutes.

The pain/discomfort continues even once the earphones/earplugs are out. I've had my ears checked recently at the GP (because of dizziness) and no wax or infection issues. I've also always had this since I was a child.

Am I just weird or is this a thing? And are there earphones out there made for small/sensitive ears?

I used to but found apple AirPods really comfy. Shame they are so pricey and easy to lose!

Me. I've tried loads because I run but everything is so uncomfortable.

Me - I can cope with old ones where you can take the sponge off, but can’t manage any of the other types. I do have small ears though.

I’m the same! I bought some headphones with three sizes of earbud and use the small ones. If you’re like me it’s that your ears are small
I think mine are called frogz. Although I prefer my Sony noise cancelling ones as they’re big and padded and go over my ears!

Yes, I can't manage more than 20 mins or so with them, I'm not sure what the alternative would be as I used to struggle with the tiny foam covered ones too.

Me! I use headphones lots while using my laptop but they're so painful I've started to use my 3 year olds over the head peppa pig head phone ones instead!

I don’t find them uncomfortable as such but they never ever stay in my ears, there would be no point whatsoever getting the ear pods they’d fall out like any other ‘in ear’ headphones, I’ve given up trying that style

Oh wow, I'm actually really relieved that it isn't just me. The rest of my family just don't get it and think I'm really weird/overreacting when I say they hurt!

I can’t use any in-ear headphones that are hard plastic, only ones with squishy rubber bits and even then it has to be the small ones. For work I have big padded over ear noise-cancelling things which are ace.

I’m the opposite and I have small ears. Everyone’s different. Headphones compress my ears and cause friction burns almost, but my earphones (AirPods) are perfect

I have always found ear buds very painful and they also fall out lots - I think I have small ears. I have finally found a headband with built in wireless headphones which works so much better for me - it might look a bit odd but it is very comfy and I can use it around the house, running and sleeping.

Uncomfortable and always fall out. Frustrating.

Same, that's why I switch to nine conductor headphones and they're a revelation!

I can’t do earbuds either - there’s so little choice these days of anything else (unless you want headphones), it’s frustrating!

I think if the earphones fall out, you have large ear canals?

Regardless though, if you power through the pain it won’t hurt after a few days! It’s like breaking shoes in

Yes so I wear clip over ones, they are fine.

I can't use airpods, they're too big for me and so so painful. I have to use the ones with the soft silicone and then swap them out for the smallest size.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

Me. I've tried loads because I run but everything is so uncomfortable.

Have you tried these? They have flat headphones that sit over the top of your ear rather than inside them.

www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_15&sprefix=bluetooth+headb&k=bluetooth+headband+running&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Yep. I’ve swapped to aeroshokz jawbones.

I can't wear in-ear ones or even soft foam earplugs. Over the head ones are ok for about half an hour, but then they feel like they are squashing the folds of my ears.

I have found a soft headband with speakers in which is much better. I can even fall asleep with it on. Its made by Musicozy.

Following with interest - I have small ears and just can’t get in-ear buds or earplugs to stay in. I would love to try the Apple ear pods but am not shelling out that sort of money for them not to work, and I presume they won’t let you trial them! I can also only use on-ear phones which are big enough to fit round your ear rather than on them.

If anyone can recommend specific headband or bone conduction ones I’ll give them a go if not too pricey.

Just read the recommendations above - I’ll have a look at them!

Me too, they either hurt or fall out. Or BOTH

Yes!! All of them, it's so annoying!

not air pods but I saw earphones that kind of hang over your ear? anybody know what they're called. They look like they might be hurtfree