Regardless of the type of headphones you use, it may take a while to get the perfect fit. The most traditional options are helmet headphones (circumaural or supra-aural), which are worn over the ears. There are also in-ear headphones and earbuds, which must be placed inside the ears. Earphones should be inserted into the ear canal, while earbuds are placed on the outside of the ear, above but not inside the ear canal.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wear a helmet headset
Step 1. Plug the headphones into your audio device
Whether it's an iPod, laptop, or cell phone, the device has a headphone jack. In the case of mp3 players, there is only one connector, so you don't have to guess where to put them. For a laptop or larger computer, you may need to look around the device a bit to find the input jack.
- The headphone jack should fit into the input without forcing it. If it doesn't fit, the headphones may not be compatible with the device.
- If you have wireless headphones, use the Bluetooth connection to connect them with your device.
Step 2. Check each side to see where the letters “L” and “R” are
Many headphones specify the side that corresponds to each ear. Make sure to check if yours have these letters; the “L” indicates left and the “R” indicates the right (because they are the initial letters of each word in English).
- If you find these letters, take into account these indications to know which side goes on which ear.
- Otherwise, you can use your headphones as you wish.
Step 3. Put the headphones on your head
The headband connecting the speakers should fit snugly around your head. Most headbands are adjustable, so if you don't feel comfortable, you can adjust their size. Pull the headband a little to see if it gets bigger or smaller and make any necessary adjustments.
Step 4. Place the speakers directly over your ears
Adjust them a bit so that they cover your ears comfortably. The circumaural headphones, which have padded circles on the speakers, create a kind of seal around each ear, canceling out external noise. Over-ear headphones are typically smaller, and the speakers are about the size of your ear. The idea is that they are directly over each hole.
You may need to remove the earrings in case the speakers make you hurt or uncomfortable
Method 2 of 3: Wear Earphones
Step 1. Place the soft tip just inside the hole of your left ear
In-ear headphones look a lot like earbuds, but they are not used in the same way. The button ones are placed in the external cavities of the ear, while the in-the-ear ones are inserted into the ear canals. To begin, place the soft tip in the hole of the ear, above the canal, but do not push it. Just leave it there.
Step 2. Grab the left earlobe and pull it down while pushing the tip inward
With your right hand, pull the lobe down slightly to enlarge the hole in the ear canal. With the index finger of your left hand, push the tip of the speaker into the ear canal.
No need to push too hard. The tip fits well right at the beginning of the channel
Step 3. Release the left lobe to create a seal
Once the speaker is in the ear canal, you can stop pulling on your earlobe. This will return the hole to its normal size and the tip of the speaker will be snug. In addition, a seal will be created that will allow you to obtain a better audio quality. Without this seal, the quality may not be optimal.
If you managed to create the appropriate seal, you will hear almost none of the ambient noise. In a way, you will feel like you are locked in, since all the sound will be isolated in your ear canals
Step 4. Repeat the above steps with your right ear
Gently pull the corresponding lobe and insert the speaker. Stop pulling to create the seal that cancels external noise and allows you to have excellent audio quality. You may need to try a few times to get used to the feel of your new headphones. Always do things carefully and never push the speakers too hard into the ear canals.
Step 5. Experiment with different soft tip sizes
In-ear headphones are not a single standard size, but generally include several pairs of soft tips of different sizes. They are designed for different sizes of ear canals. Try the smaller tips first, and if they don't fit you, move on to the next size. Keep trying until you find the size that creates the perfect stamp.
If the tips don't work for you, you can always get foam or sponge ones online. These usually work well for people who have problems with headphone sizes
Method 3 of 3: Wear Earbuds
Step 1. Check the speakers for the letters “L” and “R”
Some earbuds have these letters to indicate which speaker goes which side. The "L" corresponds to the left ear and the "R" corresponds to the right (they are the initial letters of the left and right words in English). Less common models, such as the Apple brand that come with iPods, do not usually have these indications.
If you can't find the lyrics, you can use your headphones as you like
Step 2. Place the first speaker in the hole in the left ear
Locate the speaker in the outer ear hole. The plastic part that connects the speaker to the cable should line up with the jaw. Don't push it into the ear canal. The idea is that it simply hangs on the outside of the ear.
Step 3. Repeat this step on the right ear and make any necessary adjustments
Take the remaining speaker and place it on the outside of the ear hole. Adjust it carefully and avoid pushing it in.
Step 4. If you are not comfortable with the size, find some accessories to help you
Earbuds are notorious for falling off the ears, especially when worn while exercising. If this happens to you, you can search the Internet for an accessory that you can use to keep them in place. There are several options to correct this problem, so do your research and choose the accessory that best suits you.