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Topic: Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones? (Read 94533 times) previous topic - next topic
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Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

I recently bought  this new Kono audio headphones but after 5 mins of wearing it the bones on my right ear start to hurt alot

do you guys experience something like this?

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Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: tarotaroro on
I recently bought  this new Kono audio headphones but after 5 mins of wearing it the bones on my right ear start to hurt alot

do you guys experience something like this?


I googled the headphones you mention and it looks like they are the on-ear variety. They may be too small for your head, or your ears just don't like the on-ear design. I'd suggest returning them and getting circumaural headphones, i.e. headphones that go completely around your ear. Sennheiser HD 518 are a good choice.

PS - Yes, headphones cause me pain. I am therefore very picky.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #2 –
I don't like on-ear headphones for this reason, I use IEMs.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #3 –
Both on- and in-ear give me pain. Only the softest felt-covered padding on circumaurals gives me prolonger comfort.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #4 –
Why do the headphones hurt? They don't fit you. I've had headphones of every style that hurt and also pairs that didn't hurt.  My advice would be to try them first, if possible,  or get a well-known/well-respected headphone model where there is a good likelihood that the designers didn't totally screw up. Unfortunately I don't have a recommendation to give there - well, sort of.  I use Sony model MDR-G45 headphones, which were about $10 - the sound isn't great, but they don't hurt my ear.  If you are not hard up for cash I would recommend something better in terms of sound quality.

One thing I will say - extended use of in-ear earbuds has seemed to cause me issues with earwax and the most difficult to pop pimple I have ever had,  which was right at the entrance of my ear canal, where the earbuds would sit. I didn't like the concept of them much to start with,  but this has guaranteed me to never buy any again. YMMV, people with dry skin and little earwax might not have that issue.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #5 –
I also suggest getting circumaural headphones. I have a big head and few headphones fit me. I use Sennheiser HD650 and I forget them on my head.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: tarotaroro on
I recently bought  this new Kono audio headphones but after 5 mins of wearing it the bones on my right ear start to hurt alot

do you guys experience something like this?


Most earphones come with a collection of resilient tips of various sizes.  Pick the ones that feel the best and give you the best possible sealing.

the Kono products seem to tend toward very low prices, so your options may be restricted.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #7 –
The AKG K240 I have hurt my ear cups. It takes about 1.5 hours for it to really start hurting. The reason is that the upper head strap is too weak and the headphones sack downwards and basically rest on my ear's helices instead of being suspended by the upper strap. There's no way to adjust the height of the headphone shells nor the strength of the springs(?) that pull the head strap inwards into the shells, i.e. the headphones upwards.

It's one of the reasons why I gave up listening with headphones, the other being that most music is mixed for speaker playback anyway.

I'm afraid when it comes to buying headphones even trying them on in the shop before you buy them isn't really giving you a meaningful estimation of how comfortable they will be. My K240 seem to fit great when I put them on, the pressure on my helices is very light, but it's there and so the pain slowly builds up. Also the problem seemed to have increased over the years, when they were new, I didn't recall them giving me any ear pain. Keep that in mind that springs, elastic bands and fake leather will degrade with time and use and that this may render the headphones really uncomfortable to wear. It's not always the ear paddings alone that degrade and make wearing them unbearable.

Apart from good build quality, replacement parts other than the pads like springs for example and adjustability I would recommend to feel for even the tiniest amounts of pressure against the head and ears, when in doubt don't buy them. Or if you do then test them out immediately for long periods right away so that you know about any uncomfort they might give you when you can still return them. But be sure to check with the shop's policy on items that are worn directly on the skin, they might not want to take them back even after a day.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #8 –
How old are your K240s? It is quite common practice to replace the elastics in AKGs after 2 or 3 decades, though offhand I can't remember what people are using. You can find service docs on the web; older models are much the same except that there was a time when the earpads were glued on rather than using bayonet fixing. Pleather pads tend to become hard and brittle with time as softeners evaporate; if they're flaking off they're hopeless, otherwise it may be possible to revive them with cream that's heavy on glycerin (which happens to be a softener).

A bit of maintenance every decade or two with inexpensive parts doesn't sound so bad, really. My beloved Sennheiser HD590s from 2001 are on their second set of earpads and headband padding, and third cable (I think the first replacement cable was a dud with soldering issues though, it only lasted me two years vs. a decade for its predecessor). These were my first good cans, and they still are supremely comfy (assuming your head isn't too large) - them being the lightest fullsize cans I know (215 grams + 33 for the cable) obviously helps.

Why does my ear hurt when I wear on-ear-heaphones?

Reply #9 –
Some earphones offer different-sized rubber inserts. I don't know if there is an aftermarket smaller option you can buy for common brands.

As for headphones, I seem to be getting more picky about comfort as I get older. I passed on my old headphones (which I loved at the time) to my niece about 5 years ago, and trying them again recently made me wonder why I put up with them for so long.