AirPods - poor fit fixed!

[Dani Miranda]

I wish there were a similar solution for people with teeny tiny ear canals. I haven’t been able to use Apple’s stock earbuds for years, because they’re too big to fit comfortably in my ears.

I like my JayBird wireless earbuds well enough, and the smallest available silicone eartips work, but I like the charging case and W1 chip of the AirPods.

I do have small ears too. And I have just purchased the Apple AirPods. Have not opened them yet. Now I am wondering if I should return them.

 

[Ralfi]

I do have small ears too. And I have just purchased the Apple AirPods. Have not opened them yet. Now I am wondering if I should return them.

Isn't there a 14 day return policy, even if you open the box?

How do the corded Earpods fit you? If they fit, then the Airpods should too.

 

[pcmike]

Not sure if you’re the creator of the “AirDots,” but if you are... congratulations and if you’re not... did you see how someone ripped off your idea.. down to the narrative you used in your original post?

AirDots 2.0 AirPods Ear Hook Accessory Compatible with Apple AirPods/EarPods/Earphones/Earbuds (24 Pack). Easy Charging, Better Sound and Comfy Listening for Workouts, audiobooks, etc. Patent Pending. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7LYLZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_r-gKCb1RPZJ29

Hi guys

Posting this in case anyone's having the same issue and wants a simple fix.

Love my AirPods. Maybe I just have freakish cavernous ears though, because the left one kept on falling out (and the right one could be precarious at times too).

I tried everything. Foam covers (okay but not super comfortable), silicone covers (too slippery and made it worse). Didn't want to go with Earhooks etc because I still wanted to be able to pop the AirPods back in the case without having to remove anything first.

Then it occurred to me that actually what they needed was enough grip in a couple of places to stop them falling out. What I tried then has worked a treat, and now you'd need a crowbar to pry these things out of my lugs. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but they don't fall out anymore.

What you'll need:

- Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape

https://www.nexcare.com/3M/en_US/ne...roof-Tape?N=4326+3294529207+3294631805&rt=rud

- A hole punch.

The Nexcare tape is soft and spongy. Punch out a couple of little dots with the hole punch and experiment with placement on the AirPods. To get them to stick properly just hold them down for a minute or so and the adhesive will warm up. Placement might be different for each ear. I was able to fix my fit with just two dots per AirPod. And they're completely invisible when I'm wearing them.

You'll end up with something that looks like this:

View attachment 721461

Hope this helps someone out! Enjoy

 

[Dani Miranda]

Isn't there a 14 day return policy, even if you open the box?

How do the corded Earpods fit you? If they fit, then the Airpods should too.

I went to the store today, and tried them on. It fitted ok. Comfortable.
Thanks for your tip!

❤️

 

[Ralfi]

I went to the store today, and tried them on. It fitted ok. Comfortable.
Thanks for your tip!

❤️

Your life gets better from this point onwards.

 

[NewZealandMatt]

Not sure if you’re the creator of the “AirDots,” but if you are... congratulations and if you’re not... did you see how someone ripped off your idea.. down to the narrative you used in your original post?

AirDots 2.0 AirPods Ear Hook Accessory Compatible with Apple AirPods/EarPods/Earphones/Earbuds (24 Pack). Easy Charging, Better Sound and Comfy Listening for Workouts, audiobooks, etc. Patent Pending. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7LYLZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_r-gKCb1RPZJ29

Thanks for the heads-up - AirDots are nothing to do with me.

I actually briefly looked into whether the idea could be patented. But it's a quick and easy thing to DIY. I wouldn't have felt great taking people's money for them.

I'll take it as a compliment that they stole my copy as well – and in doing so, my cavernous ears.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Thanks for the heads-up - AirDots are nothing to do with me.

I actually briefly looked into whether the idea could be patented. But it's a quick and easy thing to DIY. I wouldn't have felt great taking people's money for them.

I'll take it as a compliment that they stole my copy as well – and in doing so, my cavernous ears.

I see they're "not currently available"...I wonder if that means they are actually not as good as Nexcare plasters and therefore not selling...

 

[Fozziebear40]

You can get little self adhesive foam pads for glasses to make them more comfortable. They look like a solution, I'm going to give them a try and report back.

EDIT: I've just looked through the entire thread again and someone else suggested these foam pads, doffs hat, great minds

 

[wdm]

Hi guys

Posting this in case anyone's having the same issue and wants a simple fix.

Love my AirPods. Maybe I just have freakish cavernous ears though, because the left one kept on falling out (and the right one could be precarious at times too).

I tried everything. Foam covers (okay but not super comfortable), silicone covers (too slippery and made it worse). Didn't want to go with Earhooks etc because I still wanted to be able to pop the AirPods back in the case without having to remove anything first.

Then it occurred to me that actually what they needed was enough grip in a couple of places to stop them falling out. What I tried then has worked a treat, and now you'd need a crowbar to pry these things out of my lugs. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but they don't fall out anymore.

What you'll need:

- Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape

https://www.nexcare.com/3M/en_US/ne...roof-Tape?N=4326+3294529207+3294631805&rt=rud

- A hole punch.

The Nexcare tape is soft and spongy. Punch out a couple of little dots with the hole punch and experiment with placement on the AirPods. To get them to stick properly just hold them down for a minute or so and the adhesive will warm up. Placement might be different for each ear. I was able to fix my fit with just two dots per AirPod. And they're completely invisible when I'm wearing them.

You'll end up with something that looks like this:

View attachment 721461

Hope this helps someone out! Enjoy

What a great idea! I found something that works better than the tape - pads for corns on the foot. The ones I bought were small, and the hole in the middle fit around the slit in the EarPods perfectly.

 

[iMatt.]

Got my new AirPods on Tuesday. Love them and if I’m sitting still they fit ok, but after a while or if I’m moving around I do have to keep pushing them back in. I tried the compeed method with hole punching dots but the problem persisted. So I’ve ordered some of the tape in the OP from Amazon to be shipped to the UK. It’s currently on a plane from Newark so hopefully it will be with me this week and I’ll have the solution!

 

[iamasmith]

Might try the silcone version here as they seem to be available in Boots chemist in the UK

 

[MrGimper]

I’ve been using them for years and never had that problem. They become soiled and unusable long before they show any signs of wear.

Agreed. I used the original Comply and now use a 3rd-Party equivalent and never had a problem. You can get the "rough" feeling ones that attract wax, or the "smooth" ones that don't and are easily cleaned.
[doublepost=1554293893][/doublepost]

Might try the silcone version here as they seem to be available in Boots chemist in the UK

What did you buy, if anything, from Boots over here?

 

[AVBeatMan]

Agreed. I used the original Comply and now use a 3rd-Party equivalent and never had a problem. You can get the "rough" feeling ones that attract wax, or the "smooth" ones that don't and are easily cleaned.
[doublepost=1554293893][/doublepost]

What did you buy, if anything, from Boots over here?

I'd like to know this also. Is there anything similar on Amazon?

 

[iamasmith]

Agreed. I used the original Comply and now use a 3rd-Party equivalent and never had a problem. You can get the "rough" feeling ones that attract wax, or the "smooth" ones that don't and are easily cleaned.
[doublepost=1554293893][/doublepost]

What did you buy, if anything, from Boots over here?

They have 3 packs of these https://www.earplanes.com and I picked some up tonight.

They are exactly like shown in the video and you can pinch chunks of the silicone goo off to try the hack (it gets tackier as it heats up).

I haven't had it work for me so far though and have just taken it off and am using the Airpods in a regular fashion again.

I'm not sure these hacks will give me everything I really want anyway in this form. I played around a little last night with the fit and what I really need is for something to tilt them forward a little. They sound generally really good but if I put my fingers in my ears behind them and angle them forward I get a great seal and a lot better resulting sound quality - without that it sounds like I'm sitting in a room with all the background noise but a good quality stereo playing.

 

[iMatt.]

Yeah the Nexcare tape didn't really work for me - but I think I can stick with the AirPods for work/commuting and the new Beats Pro for the gym.

 

[iamasmith]

Yeah, fit is almost good and I'm wondering if I just need an ear hair trimmer now

 

[Macyourdayy]

Nothing a bit of alcoholic wipe couldn’t remove.

Orange oil might also work and comes in various strengths.

 

[8CoreWhore]

Clean the pods with alcohol before applying tape. That should ensure the best contact. (and use a Q-Tip with alcohol to clean inside the case at electrical contacts to prevent issues.)

I don't really need this, but I'm going to do it anyway for additional security.

 

[tecsi]

Does the 3M tape have its own adhesive? Or did you use double sided tape?

 

[Yumbo]

Try simply wearing them upside down.

 

[weeesss]

I was thinking of gluing Velcro in my ears because I really miss my AirPods. I like my Bose SS Free’s because they stay in my ears but I would prefer the AirPods for every day use.

 

[MrGimper]

I just did this:

I used black foam, and only did the outer sensor hole (doesn't need both to work)

Works a treat and much better sound and isolation.

 

[Xultar]

Found this thread because after a year my airpods are rubbing and creating a sore.
Went to amazon to buy the tape and saw this. It made my day.

 

[iMatt.]

These are really doing a good job for me so far: DamonLight {Fit in The case} Airpods Earpods Covers Anti-Slip Silicone Soft Sport Covers Accessories Apple AirPods Earbud airpods eartips 2 Pairs Whit

 

[Rocko99991]

How is anyone getting the tape to stick? I cleaned mine put it still won't stay put.