Why do my Grado headphones cause me ear pain?
February 9, 2011 9:30 AM Subscribe
Why do my Grado SR325 headphones cause my ears to hurt? If I wear them for over half an hour, I get pain from my earlobe around to the jaw joint. It's not related to ear infection or anything specific, because I've experienced this a number of times. I read in a related question that some suggest the headband be bent out, but I don't see how to do that on this model without breaking it--its flexibility wouldn't seem to support it. The weird thing is they don't feel tight when I wear them; it's just that, after a while, I start feeling persistent pain.
iirc there is a tendon that runs from just under your ear down along your jaw; likely the headphones are pressing on it. Try shortening the headband a bit so they sit higher, maybe?
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:20 AM on February 9, 2011
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:20 AM on February 9, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks to those who've responded so far.
It's entirely possible that I'm unsuited to wear headphones, but I'd still like to see if I can make these work. Not a do-or-die proposition, though.
Similarly, I have earbuds, but I enjoy the sound of my Grados and would like to not have to give up on them.
Actually, I was bit imprecise about the positioning. My discomfort runs from the tragus down to the top of the jaw joint. So, I don't know if it would solely be a tendon issue.
posted by the sobsister at 10:28 AM on February 9, 2011
It's entirely possible that I'm unsuited to wear headphones, but I'd still like to see if I can make these work. Not a do-or-die proposition, though.
Similarly, I have earbuds, but I enjoy the sound of my Grados and would like to not have to give up on them.
Actually, I was bit imprecise about the positioning. My discomfort runs from the tragus down to the top of the jaw joint. So, I don't know if it would solely be a tendon issue.
posted by the sobsister at 10:28 AM on February 9, 2011
What kind of pads do you use with your Grado? You might try different varieties to see if it feels better.
posted by xtine at 10:31 AM on February 9, 2011
posted by xtine at 10:31 AM on February 9, 2011
I have the same issue with Grados. I've googled up some pretty sophisticated ideas for customizing/bending them, but I'm not up for that. The solution for me was to get around-the-ear ("circumaural") style headphones (mine are Sennheiser HD595). Problem gone.
posted by facetious at 10:42 AM on February 9, 2011
posted by facetious at 10:42 AM on February 9, 2011
i mean this in a serious way: do you have a big head?
I ask because some pairs of Grados and Sennheisers can cause this type of pain due to how they squeeze on large noggins. And yes I did read that you said it doesn't feel like it's squeezing too hard
posted by zombieApoc at 10:45 AM on February 9, 2011
I ask because some pairs of Grados and Sennheisers can cause this type of pain due to how they squeeze on large noggins. And yes I did read that you said it doesn't feel like it's squeezing too hard
posted by zombieApoc at 10:45 AM on February 9, 2011
They don't have to be squeezing; the OP's description makes it sound like they're sitting on a nerve/tendon just enough to irritate it.
I've had some jaw pain from some headphones - I have a small head so some circumaurals would sit too low and press on that dip of skin at the base of the ear, which is rich in nerves - and this sounds really familiar. You can also get it from having a head that is too big - anything that makes the headphones sit somewhere they're not designed to.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:53 AM on February 9, 2011
I've had some jaw pain from some headphones - I have a small head so some circumaurals would sit too low and press on that dip of skin at the base of the ear, which is rich in nerves - and this sounds really familiar. You can also get it from having a head that is too big - anything that makes the headphones sit somewhere they're not designed to.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:53 AM on February 9, 2011
I find heavy headphones that press on my ears to be uncomfortable. And the Grado's I have used all do this. I prefer headphones with pads big enough to put all the pressure and weight around my ears and not on my ears; examples; AKG K271MkII and Sennheiser PC350.
I heart Headroom for buying headphones. Helpful support/sales staff can help narrow down the choices if you have very particular requests. A good return policy makes it possible to find the right set.
posted by fief at 10:57 AM on February 9, 2011
I heart Headroom for buying headphones. Helpful support/sales staff can help narrow down the choices if you have very particular requests. A good return policy makes it possible to find the right set.
posted by fief at 10:57 AM on February 9, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you for good observations and questions.
I'm using the black foam doughnuts that came with the headphones, and yes, my head is a bit big, I guess? So, the cans might not be designed to fit me. And, given the responses here and in previous posts about Grado, it seems they're known for producing--at least to some--headphones that are uncomfortable for wear over an hour. So, that sounds like a double whammy.
posted by the sobsister at 12:01 PM on February 9, 2011
I'm using the black foam doughnuts that came with the headphones, and yes, my head is a bit big, I guess? So, the cans might not be designed to fit me. And, given the responses here and in previous posts about Grado, it seems they're known for producing--at least to some--headphones that are uncomfortable for wear over an hour. So, that sounds like a double whammy.
posted by the sobsister at 12:01 PM on February 9, 2011
I tried all the Grado models and hated them. Great sound, unacceptable discomfort. My outer ears got sore and sweaty after five minutes. The pads are hard and the rest of the structure is heavy and inflexible. For me, over-the-ear models produce too much sweat, and on-the-ear models quickly become uncomfortable. The only exception, for me, has been the Sony MDR7505, which is light and comfortable. However, the sound isn't very good.
I ended up with Stax Lambdas, but they're open-backed and my wife says she can't sleep if I'm listening in bed.
My solution has been Radius Premium Noise-Canceling Ear Buds, which are very comfortable, at least for my small ear canals, and at around $90 are far better than the $500 Shures. Grado makes ear buds at around $400, but nobody will let you test them. Klipsch buds have a good reputation.
posted by KRS at 3:04 PM on February 9, 2011
I ended up with Stax Lambdas, but they're open-backed and my wife says she can't sleep if I'm listening in bed.
My solution has been Radius Premium Noise-Canceling Ear Buds, which are very comfortable, at least for my small ear canals, and at around $90 are far better than the $500 Shures. Grado makes ear buds at around $400, but nobody will let you test them. Klipsch buds have a good reputation.
posted by KRS at 3:04 PM on February 9, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by grizzled at 10:08 AM on February 9, 2011