So I got an I-Pod shuffle for Christmas, which I've been enjoying during my cardio workouts. However, the earpieces (I think they're called ear buds) keep coming out of my ears, especially when I start sweating. When they're really wet, they seem to quit working, too. And I start sweating a lot after about 15 minutes, and am drenched at the end of the hour. When I'm doing something like the elliptical, I can keep shoving the ear buds back in my ears and keep on exercising, but when I do the rowing machine, I have to stop. It's so annoying. Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just my weird ears?

Any suggestions on how to get the ear buds to stay in my ears? When I used the "regular" headphone, they would slip off my ears when I started sweating, but I could still hear the music. Although they're kind of clunky, maybe I should just go back to headphones.

My headphones are another type - they have a round piece that sits on the back of my neck...then each ear piece (foam covered over the ear type) has a plastic piece that goes over each ear. They do get sweaty during workouts - but I don't have a problem with them falling off...even during vigorous jumping jacks! Maybe if you try a few different ones on before you buy them....jump around with them on before you buy...

I did have earbud type headphones before - with the same problem as you...

Gina, I have the same type of headphones and much prefer them over earbuds.

I had the same problem, too. I didn't like the "behind the neck" either. My latest pair (about $15) are like earbuds, but you squeeze them before placing inside your ears and they expand to fit your holes. They are made by Koss and I think I got them at either Target or Best Buy.

I don't care for earbuds myself - I use the Sony "street style" headphones that go around your neck, like these:



For those of you who use earbuds - you might want to check this article out from CNN:

Researcher: iPod earbuds could damage hearing

This afternoon, the topic of "Talk of the Nation" on NPR was that exact issue -- avoiding damage to your hearing. They indicated that regular earphones are much safer. I didn't like the "buds" that came with my MP3 player -- they hurt the inside of my ear. I found some slightly different buds at Target that don't hurt as much, but I may switch back to the headphones. They may not look cool, but they feel better.

They fall out of my ear...

Just spoke to my hubby (a musician) and he has the same opinion on earbuds - he won't wear them because he doesn't want to damage his hearing. In fact he seldom wears headphones for the same reason - only when absolutely necessary (during recording sessions etc). Whenever he gigs he protects his hearing by using wax or foam earplugs.

My earbuds fall out even when i'm just sitting still. i just use my regular head phones from my portable cd player...and it actually emits the sound a lot better than the little earbuds.

Amen to dumping the earbuds. I don't know whose ears they're supposed to fit - but it's not mine! I use the behind the neck regular headphones mostly, and when I'm cutting the grass on my riding mower, I have these small sorta-like-ear-buds things that have a clip that goes around your ear. I wear them under the airport-type earmuffs to keep out the mower noise and still be able to listen to my MP3 player - usually an audiobook.

Mine didn't fit in my ears either. It is a design flaw in my opinion.

I got these to fit over my earbuds. They work well and stay in my ears now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...onics&v=glance

I have this sort of thing - my iPod headphones were useless for exercising, but these stay in place very nicely.

I have the Griffin iJams also. I find that I still have problems with sweat, but I can take them out of my ear, detach the iJam, blow out any moisture, wipe the inside of my ear, and keep going without too much problem. The nice thing about them is that when they fit properly, you are almost completely isolated from any noise around you which is the way I like it when I'm working out .

I pesonally don't like anything "in" my ear, I have the kind that are independant and hook over each ear. they are foam covered and I can keep one on and one off while I listen in bed at night which I do a lot.

I listen to a ton af audiobooks on my ipod. so I have them on a lot. They stay on for a workout and the fome will rinse out now and then.

If you like audiobooks check out

www.audible.com

PS what kind of ipod do you have. i just handed down my mini (2 years old and battery not optimal) and just got the Nano for the Holidays

Ah, yes, headphones in bed. I listen a lot in bed too (it does tend to run down the battery...) and it's usually the discomfort of the headphones that wakes me up to shut the thing off. I tried the earbuds there, but they fell out...

I love love love audible.com btw.

This is such a great forum! I was just about to ask what you thought about audible dot com and Pat read my mind before I managed to type out my question!

Audible was launched in the UK, I think, round about July 2005. It's got an offer of a free iPod shuffle (512Mb), said to hold 60-odd hours of audible books or about 120 songs for new subscribers. It feels as though it's big enough for what I want. What do you think?

I'm thinking hard about going for it with my Christmas money and have been working out which headphones to get. This thread has been brilliant. Thanks, everyone!