“You can’t listen to music through two separate destinations.” “It doesn’t work with Windows.” These are the replies I have been receiving for the past five to six years. I’m sure I have searched for this topic around a dozen times, but each time it’s the same response. Consider that you are listening to a song using headphones on your laptop. Your sibling wants to listen in as well, but prefers to use the speaker. Can a clash be avoided? How is it possible to listen to music through more than one option at the same time? Why hasn’t Microsoft thought about this aspect? Guess what! This has been made possible now. Windows can output sound to two sources at the same time, in most of the cases. What’s best is, the installation of additional programs is not necessary for this to work. Here’s a step by step instruction on how to use both headphones and speakers at the same time. Method 1:

• Connect the headphones to the computer. Make sure the speakers are connected as well.
• From the taskbar, right-click the volume icon. Then select Sound from the options, the sound dialog box opens. If you are not able to find the voice icon, use the Windows search box at the bottom left. Type sound and select Sound from the fly-up menu.
• In the Playback tab, right-click the speaker and ‘Set as default device’. Do you find the default device as greyed out or missing? If so, then the speaker might be the default device in your system. You can skip this step if it’s down earlier.
• Click on the Recording tab and right click the empty space and select ‘Show disabled devices’.
• Right click on the option ‘Stereo Mix’ and enable this device. Click again and select Properties.
• Select the Listen tab. Place a check mark in the box ‘Listen to this device’. Choose the headphone you want to playback through from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the Apply option. That’s all!

  To verify, play the music. The sound should come from both the speakers and headphones. Also, the green bars by both devices should be visible. If the sound is not coming from both, check if the speaker is set as a default device and not a communication device.   Method 2: Do a quick re-installation of the IDT audio driver. If there is a misconfiguration of the settings in the driver, this can rectify it.

• Select the Device Manager. For this, choose the Windows + R key. Type devmgmt.msc in the Run box, click Ok. Or type devmgmt.msc in the Windows search box.
• Open the ‘Sound, video & game controllers’ option.
• Right click on Realtek IDT High Definition Audio and choose the context menu.
• Click install.
• Select OK.

  Once you restart your PC, Windows will re-assemble the driver from the files. The driver’s configuration will also be back to the default options.   Method 3: Download and install a fresh copy of the IDT audio driver. This can be obtained from the support page of the device. Have the files in the audio driver gone corrupt? Then, doing this will fix it. Plus, it will rectify any misconfiguration same as the above step. Make sure to choose the operating system in the menu before downloading the audio driver.   Method 4: Does the problem still persist even after doing the above steps? Then shift from IDT audio driver to Windows native audio driver option.

• Select the Device Manager.
• Open ‘Sound, video & game controllers’.
• Right-click and select the option ‘IDT High Definition – Audio Codec’.
• Choose ‘Update Driver Software’ from the list. Select ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ option.
• Select the option ‘Pick from a list of drivers on my computer’.
• Place a check on the box ‘Show compatible hardware’ if not checked.
• After this, choose ‘High Definition Audio’ and click ‘Next’.
• In the Update Driver Warning box, select ‘Yes’ and install the driver.
• Restart the laptop if prompted.

If not prompted, there is no need to restart the PC.   Method 5: Check if you have muted the ‘line-in mic’, then the headphones also will be muted. Fix it by removing the mute from the line-in mic.

• Right click on the icon ‘speakers’.
• Choose the ‘Recording Devices’ option.
• Right, click on the ‘Microphone or Line In’ and click ‘enable’.

Wasn’t these steps simple! Go ahead and enjoy listening to music through speakers and headphones.

In today’s world, where technology has become a part of our life, you are depended on the various technical device on your day to day life. The most commonly used accessory is a headphone. Headphone or earphone is a hardware device that allows you to watch a movie or listen to music without disturbing the people around you. If you have the habit of carrying your headphones wherever you go, then at one point of time or other you would have definitely found a tangled headphone in your bag. If you ignore the tangled cords of your headphone, it will damage the internal wiring. You need to ensure that you always coil the cords properly so that it does not get tangled and damage the wires. I know it is quite frustrating to reach for the headphone and finding it tangled especially when you are pressed for time to take a call.  However, you should not panic or try to untangle them in a hurry. You will end up making matters worse. Follow the below mentioned ways to loosen the wires that are tangled without any hassle. Method 1 First unplug the headset from the device. It will help you to freely move the cord.  Try to loosen the ends by working from bottom up. Find the closest tangle from the loose end and pull the outside wire to loosen it.  Now move on to the next knot and slowly pull out the outside wire. Continue the process until all the knots are untied. You need to be quiet patient while pulling out the cord or else you might tear the cord and stretch out the cable. Method 2 In order to loosen the tangle, use a pen or pencil; Pen can be used as a lever to loosen the tangle. Keep the pen underneath the knot’s edge. Slowly pull up the pen and you could see that the knot is slowly getting loosened. Use your fingers to pull out the loosened wire.  Hold on to the pen or pencil till the entire knot is taken off. Method 3 For this method you need to spread the tangled wires on a surface that is flat.  It will help you to know where exactly the cord is tangled. Pull out the loose end through the tangle like you sew a cloth. Keep pulling out the loose end through the tangle till it is completely free of tangle. This might take a little bit more time but are quite effective when you have to untangle a complex knot. Method 4 The easiest way to untangle a headphone is to wrap the wires using one of the binder clips. The binder clips will help in holding the wires in its place so that it prevents them from getting tangled once you put in the bag. Firmly clip it near the earpiece and wrap the cord around the metal arms. Method 5 Another easy way to untangle the wires is by initially wrapping the cord securely while you store it.  You should grab hold of both the end and go on to wrap the headphones around the four fingers. You should stop wrapping it once there is only three inches left. Slowly pull it out of the hand and ensure that wrapping does not fall apart. Wrap the rest of the chord towards the middle of the set and tuck the end into the wrapped part. Secure it tightly.  It is best that you store the wrapped headphones in a small container or jar. You can easily untangle them by pulling out the loose end. You should never have to worry about a tangled headphone ever again. You need to keep in mind that you don’t just leave the headphones in your bag without storing it properly as it will end up getting tangled.  You could buy a headphone storing case from the shops to protect it from any kind of damage while not in use. Or else, you could use an old mint case to store the cables. If you wrap the cords securely and store in the case, you could easily untangle them whenever you wish to use them.

I stick on to my computer for many hours like most of the tech-savvy crowd. Since I work from my home, on most days, I am a staunch user of headphones. The first thing is it helps me not to disturb the other family members with my call conversations. The second reason is it helps in keeping my focus on my job. So like every other computer accessory I offer equal care to headphones. My headphones never trouble me with static noise. If you are surprised, read on to know the 7 ways I use to get rid of them:

1. Check the wires: Sometimes our accidental movements might result in the loosening of wires. My simple logic to stop the static noise immediately is to check the wires of headphone connected to PC and tighten them immediately. Corrosion in wires can cause static noise. So, check for that too.
2. Alternative audio jacks: In the PC there would be multiple audio jacks. I would try removing the headphone wire from the one that I am using right now to an alternative one. You can use the rear or speaker jack. This is a temporary solution and can be used during important/emergency calls where you cannot miss out even a second.
3. Speakers: If you are using a speaker, check whether the speaker is free from static noise. Quality of sound greatly depends on speaker quality.
4. Upgradation of headphones: The listening experience depends on the quality of media recording. In my experience, I find that my latest-technology headphones cope up well even while playing old recordings. That is why I suggest that you always use upgraded headphones to avoid static noise. Next time when you hear static noise, the source might be your worn-out old headphones.
5. Cleaning: I use earbuds to clean the audio jacks of my PC. I find that this helps in reduced noise disturbances. Isopropyl alcohol can be used for cleaning. You have to just dip the cotton swap in it and do the cleaning process. Ensure that you shut down the PC and unplug its cords from the power supply before you start the cleaning process. Most people ignore this advice. Cleaning the audio jacks without disconnecting the power chords would prove to be risky.
6. Sound card: I bought a sound card without analyzing the motherboard features of my PC. I found that it created a lot of noise as it did not fit the PCI express slots of the motherboard. I made some modifications to get rid of static noise. Before starting the job, I shut down the PC and removed the power chords. Then slowly removed the screws of the sound card frame. Now I opened the motherboard slot and gently pushed the card. I rechecked whether it was firmly fixed. Finally, I closed the PC’s case. When I attached the accessories and cables properly, I found that my headphones worked without static noise.
7. Headphones audio jack connections: When I visited a friend once, he complained of frequent static noise issue in his headphones.I checked the desktop and shut down the system after removing the cables. I used a screwdriver to remove the side panel case. With good difficulty, I could locate the inside end of the headphone input. This is because his desktop model did not have direct access to the headphone input.I had to slightly remove its hard drive to touch the input. I gently soldered the tip of the headphone input jack. The tricky portion is that the soldering is to be done only till a small bead forms on the edge.This has to be repeated for the other connection point too. I had to ensure that the two beads did not join together. Now that the audio jack was properly soldered, the connection was perfect. The static noise immediately disappeared. The main source of trouble, in this case, was a cracked audio-jack which resulted in the noise. Now that the problem was solved, the listening experience was disturbance-free.

  When you take care of all the above 7 aspects, your listening experience will be static-noise free even when the recordings are of medium quality.

My experience with earbuds had been most irritating when I find one side does not work. It surely spoils the fun of music-especially while hearing beat songs. On one day when I was listening to a live session for which I had paid a huge amount, I lost part of important information because of this issue. Then I found out the below techniques to fix the issue:  

1. If you can just switch off and switch on both sides of the earbuds, you might resolve the issue. Kindly wait till the speaker/PC confirms that you are connected. In a few models, when the right and left sides get connected, the earbuds itself confirm with a small beep. If you want to check the speaker of the earbud ensure that you remove the batteries from the earbuds as the first safety step.The next step is to remove the foam pads of the speakers. Ensure that you do not misplace them. The next task would be to carefully remove the screws with the help of a screwdriver. Find out the end of the aux cable which has the jack. Now take the other end and slice it gently. Finally, you can try twisting the cable tightly on the speaker. This will solve the issue of speaker malfunctioning due to internal loose connections.
2. Check whether the issue is in the source of the audio or the earbuds. When the audio recording is an older one it may not be always compatible to be heard on the latest earbud. The disruptions might look as though one side of the earbud is not functioning. Hence, check the quality of the audio source.
3. One day when I used it in a friend’s PC, I found that this issue surged again. However, it struck to me that I should check the side balancing setting. The settings were done as ‘left only’. When I reset it correctly, I could find right side earbud too started functioning. While hearing music, we might forget that mono tracks play only on one side of the earbud. When you forget this, you might constantly check the hardware or device settings. It would be of no use.
4. While driving I have experienced that restarting the Bluetooth fixes this issue in a simple manner.
5. Pull out and replug the earbud into the audio jack. Any loosely connected jack might result in only one side of the earbud working. When you pull out and firmly insert the earbud into the audio, any loose connections which might be unnoticed would be fixed automatically.
6. Cleaning the audio jack might help in eliminating dirt which dampens the connectivity. Always ensure that you have to switch off the devices before cleaning the audio jack. You can use a cotton swab to clean the audio jack gently.
7. My latest model headphone has to be plugged into an aux cable jack. This jack has minute structures like a metal ball with springs. At one time when only one earbud was functioning, I closely looked at the aux cable jack.One of these tiny metal balls were jammed in a halfway position. This jammed position will disrupt the functioning of one earbud. I patiently tried to refix the ball by pushing the cable plug in multiple angles. At last, at one angle it automatically got released from the jammed position. Now both of my earbuds were functioning properly.
8. Check the socket board that is connected to the small electrical circuit board. Check the wirings inside the socket board. You can easily find out loose connections in the socket board. When earbuds are not functioning, issues may not always be with the earbuds. It might be with the socket board too.Try to gently feel the wire for loose connections. Also, check whether the audio jack is fixed properly on the socket board. Anything wrong in this part might require soldering. Hence, take expert help if you are not sure about the soldering procedure. If you have soldering equipment it is a simple process. When the audio jack is properly soldered and fixed on the socket board, your earbuds would work properly.

Music has evolved with time. Even the medium through which people listen to music has gone through dramatic changes with the passage of time. In this tech era, headphones have created a special place in the life of a music lover. From gramophone to stereos and now to Bluetooth connected music systems, the medium through which people enjoy music has evolved. In earlier days, back in the ’80s, headphones had nothing to do with the music.  It was used only by telephone operators. It was an earpiece that weighed quite heavy and rested on the shoulder of the user.  It was solely used for communication purpose. Later in 1895, people began to use headphones to listen to music. The headphone of that era resembled a stethoscope. The popularity of headphones gained momentum over the last 80 years. Professional musicians started purchasing headphones and were only used for indoor purpose. They were quite expensive and it was not affordable by all.  Once the cassette and portable music player was invented, headphones became a common household name. Even though the quality was not great initially, people still prefer to own one. The headphones became portable and lightweight. As the quality was not so great, the headphones were available at a cheap rate.  As the price was cheap, the sale of headphone increased profoundly. Later on, MP3 player was invented which actually accelerated the growth of usage of headphones to listen to music. Slowly, it became a necessary accessory. With the advent of smartphones and TVs with Bluetooth facility, the demand for headphones grew rapidly. Wireless headphones came with many advantages. People found it quite easy to use while traveling, working out and so on.  The demand for unique feature too increased which resulted in the introduction of headphones with a heavy price tag. The headphones have evolved over a period of time and each year something new would be introduced. Below mentioned are the reasons why the headphones are quite expensive now. Reasons as to headphones are expensive Quality of sound- The most important reason for headphones being expensive is that the quality of sound is much better compared to others. The music experienced is crisper and clearer. The bass does not sound muddy and the high notes won’t be harsh. When you close your eyes and listen to music, you feel that you are attending a live musical concert. You will be able to hear each individual instrument playing which combines to create a masterpiece without sounding muddled. Durability- The expensive headphones are made of sturdy, solid material which makes it last longer. Once you invest in a good expensive headphone, you don’t have to think of buying a new one in the near future. Bluetooth connectivity- These headphones enable Bluetooth connectivity which lets you connect to any device you wish. You can connect it to your TV, laptop or phone which has Bluetooth feature. Wireless audio is a great feature that comes with these headphones. You can move around freely without the hassle of getting the wires tangled. You don’t have to waste time trying to untangle the cords after you put it in the bag. It is apt for listening to music while you are in the gym or on the go. Noise cancellation– The noise cancellation feature will block out all the background noise and sound so that you can hear only the sound of music. It helps in unwinding your mind as you will not get disturbed by any outside noise. It is a much-needed accessory in today’s stressed filled life wherein you are surrounded by people all the time. Sweat or water resistance- These high-quality expensive headphones do not get easily damaged by sweat or water. You can use it while going for a jog or does not have to worry if you happen to get wet in the rain on your way back.   It is quite obvious that if you plan to buy a headphone with varied features and of high quality you need to be prepared to shell out a good amount of money. However, do take care while you purchase a new one as you should get duped by duplicate products. Also, not necessarily expensive phones mean a better device. Conduct proper research and arrive at a decision on which product to buy.

The very reasons why you may want to use headphones are to reject noise from the external environment and have some effective hearing of the audio from your laptop or your smartphones. If you have been experiencing beeping noise coming out of your headphone then you have landed the right page to identify the problem and get some solution as well.

• Electronic devices are usually sensitive to other electronic devices that are nearby. Getting closer to other devices such as cordless phones, smartphones or even microwave could be the problem of the buzz in the headset. Try to move to away from the devices. So, that they are not closer anymore which will resolve the issue most of the times.
• The problem could also be due to a repair in the audio jack. By the term Audio Jack, I mean the port which is used for plugging in your headphone. There may be some dust accumulated which might be the issue. Try cleaning it with compressed air and check your headphones again. If the issue is still not resolved, try a different pair of headphone. However, if the noise level continues then it is high time that you change the Audio Jack of your PC or smartphone which will stop the buzzing noise.
• Sometimes the problem may be with the change in Settings. When the updates happen, be it your smartphone or your PC, there are chances the drivers are faulty. In that case, changing the Settings to its earlier version might help. Reset your settings.
• Identifying whether the problem is in the headphone itself, will help. Try to just give a gentle shake to your headset and plug it in again. If the noise persists try your headset in another system or smartphone. If you still experience the noise, it’s time that you change your headphones. (https://smallbusiness.chron.com/buzzing-iphone-ear-speakers-79776.html)
• The problem may occur due to some very simple problems which can be rectified with a few steps. First, try to reconnect to headphone to your device again and again by disconnecting for a few times. There may be some compatibility issue which will get resolved by following this step.
• Adjusting the volume levels many times can also become the solution at times. Open the settings of the Audio icon and set the volume to the maximum. Try repeating this step and there are chances that the buzzing is reduced.
• When you are using a headphone for your device make sure that you remove all the enclosures attached to it. The buzzing noise could be because of the block created by the enclosures.
• While you are testing with your headphones, do not just ignore the possibility of your device creating the problem. After all it is the device that is giving you the trouble and not the headphone. Try out various settings and changes to get a solution.
• You may know where actually the problem lies until you are ready to fix it yourself. You will be surprised to know that Speakerphone Toggle could be one of the ways to make your headphones work properly. How do we do it? Try making a call. Probably a call that won’t be answered by any people. Meaning to say that you can try calling a number where there is an automated response. Call the number and turn on the speaker. When the call is in the progress, switch on the call to your headset and you will be definitely surprised to see the trick work.
• At times low battery levels could be the cause and they are resistant to working under conditions that are weak. Make sure that your phone is always charged and ready for the effective functioning of the devices and the accessories as well.
• If you are connected to your device via Bluetooth then ensure that the pairing is done. Sometimes the pairing gets altered or lost. Pair it again. Also make sure that your device and your Bluetooth headset are within the specified range.

These are some sure shots that you can try to eliminate the buzzing noise from your headphone. If these do not work then it’s time that you take your device and your headphone to an authorized person to get it resolved.

Do you like listening to music via headphones while jogging or working out? Who doesn’t, right! Music soothes our soul. Its the perfect combo on a cold winter day to warm your heart. Well, ever felt a small shock from the headphones while listening to your favorite songs. You may have checked for loose wirings, still received no explanations for the static. Stay calm! Your earbuds are not trying to wipe out your memory. The slight shock is a rare scenario that may arise. It is just the static electricity that is being built up in the headphones. The first time you feel it, the shock can be slightly annoying. No need to worry! The small static won’t deafen you or cause damage to your eardrums. A few aspects that could be the reasons for the static in your headphone are mentioned below. Let’s have a look.  

• An earbud static may happen when the cord is rubbed against your clothes. Synthetic fibers like nylon get charged easily because of static electricity. This results in a small charge in the earphone. This charge builds up over time and results in a slight static in the ear, causing shock.
• Environmental factors also have a role in creating static shock in earbuds. Dry and low humidity climates are favorable for static charges to build up in your earbuds.
• Remain cautious during windy days. High windy conditions can result in a buildup of static electricity in your headphones.
• Jogging or working out with the gadget in your pocket can cause friction. This can result in a slight static in your earbuds.
• Any dirt or particles in the earbuds can also cause friction. This results in static charges building up in the headphones. For instance: One thing I’ve noticed is that every time I’ve got a shock, the earbuds have been dirty. I clean the crud off of it and then it’s absolutely fine.

How do we steer our way out through this issue?  Is it possible to listen to our favorite playlist without a twitch? Here are some things that can be done to avoid headphones shocks. Read on to find out:

• While running or jogging, touch a metallic piece to keep yourself grounded. Purchasing an anti-static, metallic strap wrist watch is a great choice. Wearing it during morning workouts, will enable you to stay away from static charges.
• Most of the thread mills are equipped with a metallic sensor. This sensor is used to determine the heart rate of a person. Tap that metallic sensor while using the thread mill. It helps to evade the static charges in your headphone.
• Wear clothes made of natural fibers during work outs. Synthetic fibers are prone to build up charges, resulting in quick static in the earbuds.
• Planning to go for a run on a windy day? Or having a fan facing you while working out? To reduce static in the headphone due to winds, keep your gadget in an armband.
• During dry climates, keep the humidity of the room at normal levels using a humidifier.
• Headsets made of the metallic body are more prone to cause static electricity. Fully plastic headphones are less likely to collect static charges.
• Applying anti-static spray is another solution. Using it on the furniture, workout gear and clothes will reduce the shock in headphones.

  We could also resort to solving the technical issues that may cause static. There are various solutions that you can try to solve the matter yourself. It may take only a few minutes to handle it. Why not give it a try!

• Verify that the headphones are in good condition:

Plug the headphones to other devices that function well. Check if you still experience the static through your headphones. If the problem persists, get a brand new headphone without delay. You can also try adjusting the cord a bit and see if it works fine.  

• Check the sound card:

Examine the sound card on the PC. Ensure that the card is plugged into the correct port. Clean the dust particles accumulated around the sound card. However, if you are using a cheap sound card on your device, it may produce static. Hence, install or change to a good sound card. Hope you got an idea about the reasons and methods to handle static charges in your headphones. Follow the points discussed above. Enjoy your favorite tunes using headphones, without worrying about getting shocks.

Lately, I have noticed more than a few headphones at home and this is one commodity which is always in excess. Let me admit that headphones are one thing that is underused and overused as well. Most of the times it gets crumbled in your bags or it gets trampled in your feet while you leave them haphazard. With a lot of emphasis on recycling and DE-cluttering, I was genuinely looking for ideas of what could be done with the old headphones. If you are looking for ideas of ways to reuse or discard these old headphones here are some beneficial method, this might be a good place to start.

• Trying to resell the product in an online store like eBay will really help. What might be of no use to you might be helpful to someone. Instead of throwing it into the trashcan why not make some money out of it, even if it is meager. (Make sure that it is in a working condition)
• One more way to discard your old headphone is to give to the recycling program that may be available in your city. If you don’t have any such facility, don’t worry at all. You can sell it to some companies like JLab or Thinksound (https://recyclenation.com/2014/09/recycle-headphones/), which sell products like earphones, Bluetooth speakers and so on. You would only have to fill an online application to send it for recycling. A certain amount of discount would be provided by the company to you on your next purchase from them.
• If you really have a nice pair of headphones that you do want to part with, you definitely have a chance of giving a new twist to make them look new. I found this information from a website called https://www.instructables.com (https://www.instructables.com/id/Breathe-New-Life-Into-Old-Headphones/), which really helped me in restoring my headphone that I did not want to miss. The ear cups may be replaced with new and comfortable pads.
• I also believe in using a separate item for each task. This way you make sure that you do not run out of things. This happens with headphones or even your mouse. I have one old headphone of mine which I specifically use at home and one which I carry with me to my office. This way I’m sure that I do not forget it either at home or at my workplace.
• You could also give it to your kid to whom this is definitely something exciting.
• One of my friends spent a good amount of money for a headphone, I would like to add the fact that he’s an audiophile. Since he did not want to just throw it away, he decided to add an adapter. Though it is pretty much agreed that it might not look very exciting, it is definitely worth trying. Changing you dangling wires into Bluetooth speaker is also a possible option. With the help of some Bluetooth adapters you can really change your old headphone into wireless speakers. Moreover the good news is that when you use Bluetooth adapters sound quality is much better than your headsets.
• Though I may sound like an evangelist, why not donate it to a person, who’d really love to have a pretty decent headset. End of the day it gives happiness to you as well the person who receives it.
• You can also unleash your creativity and create a stunning piece of jewelry. There are many DIYs available and I have used the headset wire to create a bracelet of my own with a pretty decent look. Earrings or even rings are some other accessories that could be created from an old headphone.
• Moreover it is stronger than the ones that I would buy in the market. This is just one idea. With a little more originality you would be able to turn out headphone into an amazing work of art and contribute to the society by stopping e-waste. It also reduces some of your dollars being spent on accessories.

So, it only requires a mindset and you have already chosen to take an extra step to find out what could be done with your old stuff. With this great start you will end up with something amazing turnout.

I could not believe that I was buying earbuds almost every month! At this rate, I was sure that not only would I be spending a chunk of my money on them but also end up trashing so many of them. It is so easy to trash something, an earbud here and a cord there, but do we even for a minute realize where all the e-waste that we trash so often ends up? A few days ago, I was traveling back home from work in the tube when I realized that my destination was approaching. I was listening to music and unmindfully got up tugging one of the cords of my earbuds so hard that it literally gave away.

Now this was something that I could have avoided, right!

So, I went back home, half dejected and half anxious and of course not able to listen to music. Music is therapeutic to me and I have to listen to relax my nerves, especially after a hard day at work. I am sure many of us have landed like this. It’s okay once in a while but breaking earbuds often and trashing them can freak out the environmentalist in me too. Here is a list of things that I keep in mind to make sure my earbuds stay in perfect shape. You can try these out. They are simple tricks albeit once you are through this; I can bet you that your life would have changed for the better. Let’s get started then!

• Pull the connector, not the cord. However tired you are, make sure that you hold the connector and gently unplug it from your audio source. Putting any extra force on the connector may not only damage the pin of your earbuds but can also potentially damage the audio drive. Having said this, it is pertinent that you do not pull on the cords to disconnect at all; in whatever hurries that you be in.

 

• Do not use sharp force. Yanking the wire instead can mean that you end up with a big drawer full of earbuds to the trash at the end of each year and believe that it is not the best of feelings to have. There is so much more fun you could have with all the money that you will save on all those earbuds.

   

• Have a proper place to store your earbuds. It may take a little while for you to form a habit but trust me that you will thank yourself that you decided each day to stow away your earbuds in its place right after you used them. Keeping them back in the place that you created for them can also mean that you do not waste too much time searching them the next time that you want to use them.

  For instance, it is so tempting to pull the earbuds off your ears and throw the phone still connected with it on the sofa or your bed. Yes, we have all been there. But imagine if you unmindfully sat on them?   Always try to disconnect the cable and roll in keep it in a drawer or at least on the desk so that mishaps do not occur.  

• Use a case if you forget to store them in a safer place. Owning a case may gently put you in a habit of storing them away once you think that you are done with them.

 

• Equally important is that you use the correct length of the cable. A very short cable will put a lot of pressure on the connector besides making you feel inconvenienced. On the other hand, a very long cable is a disaster waiting to happen!

 

• No! Your earbuds are not waterproof! So, splashing water on your face with them on or pushing your friend off the floor into the pool with them on will mean that you get enough eye rolls from him when he recovers from the shock. You may even have to gift them a new earbud to make up between the two of you!

 

• A quick survey of my close buddies indicates that chums who keep their earphones in their pockets have a high chance of replacing them more often than those that pack it in their backpack. Accidentally stowing them in the back pockets and invariably sitting on them is the most common observation.

 

• Do not wind the wires around the device tightly or let them dangle for too long. When you tighten the cables around your devices, the intricate wiring inside the cables can be frayed leaving you with an earbud with compromised sound quality. Dangling them over the device or your shoulders can also mean that there is a lot of pressure at some points which will eventually shorten its life.

  Actually, I found these tips helpful. Simply look out for these red flags and watch how you increase the lifetime of your earbuds. Don’t forget to tell me how well you did!

The alarming rate of an accident due to mobile phones had prompted the authority world over to ban using any form of communication that required holding a hand held device when a person is behind the wheel. But that doesn’t stop many from using headphones to talk even when they are mobile. Recently, I was walking down the park, when I saw a guy narrowly missing a little boy by a whisker. A little away, a policeman stopped him because he suspected the man to be talking through his headphone. This set me thinking about whether it is legal to wear headphones while driving.

A lot of research later, I am still a little undecided.

On a global scale, a lot many countries have no prohibition whatsoever on using headphones while driving. Yet, there are quite a few countries that have explicit laws banning talking on the phone in addition to the usage of headphones, ear phones, earbuds et al. For instance, in NSW, per their traffic rules, using headphones is not a crime per se but it is considered dangerous nevertheless. The truant can be prosecuted if he causes an accident.

The prohibition may be strict albeit very practical:

A driver behind the wheel has to be excessively alert while navigating. It is highly probable that if he is talking to someone on his phone with either a wireless or corded headphone that he gets carried away with it and become less alert and aware of the traffic conditions surrounding him.

It is not just dangerous for self but also to others.

It is obvious that if the driver is wearing an ear phone or an earbud or a headphone, it is going to dull and considerably block the sound of horns and sirens around him. There is a good chance even that if he listening to music, he gets carried away at the moment and is not able to concentrate on the road ahead. Is not able to take the right decision in life altering situations? This is how most accidents happen. It is too late to realize that it could have been averted only if the driver had parked the vehicle near the sidewalk if taking the call was sine quo-non.

Is hearing an important cognition for driving?

I realized that it all boils down to conclusively arriving at the fact that even though hearing may not directly be cognition necessary for driving, still, being able to catch sounds from co vehicles is important not just of the self but also for the safety of others that are using the road.

Compromising on the safety of co-travelers is not a done thing.

A comprehensive study of the laws in various countries presented quite some confusion. But it was assuring to know that a lot of federal states within the US alone had a ban on drivers using ear phones or headsets that were connected to devices that were capable of audio broadcast receipt and sound recording devices. There is a very heavy fine that is associated with law breakers. In some of the states where headphones are categorically banned for safety reasons, allow motorcycle helmets that come built with headphones that support wireless hands free communication system. Also some of them do not mind if the drivers wear earbuds or sound devices that need to be fitted over the ear lobe so that the hearing canal is not completely blocked. States such as West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont, Utah, Rhode Island and Texas have completely prohibited the use of headphones behind the wheel. They do not even allow bikers to use helmets fitted with wireless headphones built inside. Some of the states have an exception to the rules. If the headphone is connected to a device that is singly helping in navigating the motor vehicle then it is allowed. In Ohio, ear phone or bud in one ear only is allowed and in Arizona, motor vehicles that are used for transporting children and seniors are strictly prohibited from drivers using any form of communication where they would be likely to cover their ears. Consequently, school bus drivers cannot in any circumstance afford to wear a headphone and evade police scrutiny. It all boils down to the fact that wearing a device that covers any one of the senses like a headphone can mean distraction from the road and also slower reactions in unexpected traffic conditions. It is not a great idea because it can limit the hearing and is considered extremely dangerous for people who should be alert and awake every minute that they are behind the wheel.