Earphones are a necessity nowadays, especially now that people are always on the move, and these may range from a wired office headset to wireless Bluetooth ones. We often see students and professionals with one, whether they are for the office or recreational use.
Although with its proximity to ears, there is often the problem of dirt accumulating on the pads or buds. Bacterial growth may also be a cause for concern, as it may cause ear problems. There may also be a chance of you often letting other people use your earphones, so keeping them clean should be a priority.
Types of headsets
- Bluetooth headsets are the most common for wireless types. They are great for athletes and runners, as tangling will not be a problem because of the lack of long wires. Most wireless headsets are packed with a pretty decent battery life, so you would not worry about it powering down during inconvenient situations. Just make sure to charge it every time it is not in use.
- Wired headsets are connected directly to your device by the use of a jack. The convenient thing about it is that it does not need batteries, nor does it need to be charged. It is usually used in the office or when you are at home.
- Headphones are the ones that usually have a noise-canceling feature, whatever the environment may be. They are great for private listening, especially for musicians who are recording their music. These types of headsets often have pads that cover the whole ear, thus muffling out the noise. They have also been known to produce a better sound quality as opposed to wireless headsets.
- In-ear headphones are ones that have canal phones which are inserted into the ear, as opposed to earbuds that only rest on the ridge outside your ears. These go deep into your ears, and a bit closer to your eardrums.
Why do you have to keep them clean?
First and foremost, taking care of your belongings will save you a lot of money in the long run because you would not have to buy replacements too often. It is also more comfortable to use clean wireless or wired office headsets, as they will stay in good condition longer.
It is hygienic to keep them clean as any sweat or dirt may cause bacteria leading to infection. If you also let earwax build-up take control, it may affect your hearing.
How to clean your listening device
- You can use either isopropyl alcohol or ethanol to clean out stains, wax, and skin oils. You can use cotton swabs or cloth with alcohol to wipe the surface. We can also use hydrogen peroxide that has about 3% concentration, and it would have the same effect. But this method tends to stain your pads, so use it with caution.
- Avoid using paper towels, as it might scratch the surface of the headset pads. You can wash them with water and soap, but make sure they are completely dry before reconnecting it with the main device, as any residual water may get into the body of the headset and ruin the circuitry.
- Do you use headsets as part of your job? Make sure you clean them every week. You should treat the pads with care not to wear down the material because of the hard scrubbing. For pads made of the leather coating, you can use a special leather conditioner twice every year, although there would come a time when you should replace them if they are past their prime.
Don’t forget to clean the jacks.
Dust and moisture will always accumulate if left alone, which may create a grime seal in the hole, blocking the connection. With the usual size that mobile phones would have for jacks, Q-Tips or cloth would not fit into it. Using compressed air is the way to go, as it can remove dust and dirt. You can use an electric air duster for the job.
Buying expensive equipment is only practical when you are committed to treating it with the utmost care.
