Earbuds always falling out? Try these 4 fixes

If you’re anything like us, you love the comfort and convenience of wireless earbuds. Like their wired predecessors, many find one major obstacle between tranquility and a constant annoyance: Why won’t these things stay in my ears?

Until you find the right pair of earbuds, it’s difficult to describe how awesome they are. Tap or click for the best wireless earbuds for music and podcast lovers.

You don’t need to struggle with earbuds not staying put. Here are four simple tips to help you make the most of wireless earbuds as a part of your professional, academic or athletic workflow.

1. Double-check the instructions they came with

Are you wearing them in the wrong ears? Are you plugging them in backward or even upside-down?

Few earbuds will arrive on your doorstep without a pamphlet showing you the correct way to wear them. All but the most generic will usually be designed to hug the natural curvature of the human ear, and these shapes aren’t exactly congruent in all directions.

Many are guilty of shoving earbuds in without checking to ensure the little “R” and “L” labels match their ear. 

2. Keep your earbuds clean

Are dirty earbuds harder to use? Surprisingly, this is often the case. Earwax and other grime may prevent earbuds or silicon tips from clinging to the skin of your middle ear. Like any electronic device, you’ll want to exercise caution and the manufacturer’s best practices when maintaining them to avoid damage.

A puffer or canned air will help you dislodge dust and dirt particles from nooks, crannies and vents. Toothpicks, cotton swabs, and any included brushes or other tools can then be used to deal with anything stuck to the earbuds in a layer.

Sanitizing them using waterless methods like UV sanitation can eliminate germs from their surfaces. Avoid moisture-based solutions unless the manufacturer deems their use safe enough for consumers.

Try to make this habit a regular part of your weekly routine. Failing to do so won’t just make your buds more challenging to use. You might also find yourself the victim of a nasty ear infection. An ounce of prevention can go a long way.

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Can't access Outlook? Here's the fix until Microsoft patches it

Google’s Gmail is one of the most popular email services in the world. But the tech giant is known for tracking your every move. If you want more privacy, there are options. Tap or click here for details on a Gmail alternative focused on privacy.

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Gen Z and the perils of working 9 to 5

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Everyone’s clocking back in at the office, but not all are thrilled — Gen Z’s got some thoughts.

Use Outlook or Microsoft Office? Malware red flag uses a new twist on an old trick

Cybercriminals constantly update their techniques to make malware, viruses and other cyber-threats as hard as possible for humans and artificial intelligence to spot. Antivirus apps check for infected files and malware, but there’s one kind of attack that humans and apps are relatively bad at noticing.

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Add a little ambiance to your home with these 13 upgrades

When you look around your home, does it make you feel relaxed? Comfortable? Maybe you’ve finally reached a point where you’re living in the lap of luxury.

No? Well, saddle up because all it takes is a new set of curtains here and an area rug there to make your home look radiant.

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75-year-old van dweller, free Amazon movie tix & viral airplane meltdowns

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Plus, heading back to the office? Here’s what to know about bosses tracking you. I chat with caller Sharon May from Oregon about finding a good animation software for her grandson. High-speed police drones, and a heads-up: hackers are targeting travelers.

Zoom says that managing employees remotely is really hard

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Struggling with the return-to-office decision? Here’s what Zoom’s CEO has to say, in 60 seconds. 

Thank you, veterans! Here are the best deals and freebies you can get today

When you have lost your parents, you probably think of them every day. That’s how I feel about my father. He served in the Army during the Korean War before working for United Airlines.

Since his passing, I miss him all the time. I even used a photo recreation tool to transform an old photo into a lifelike video. If you walk into my office, you’ll see his military medals shining under my office lights. It’s a daily reminder that I can be just as brave and selfless as he was.

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Have a Netgear router? 11 models vulnerable to takeover - Here's what to do

Your router is one of the most essential pieces of tech in your home and office. If something goes wrong with it, your internet connection will most likely be lost. In a best-case scenario, you might experience a slow-down.

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Big Tech companies have profiles on you - Here's how to see them

It should be no surprise to anybody that social media and tech companies gather a lot of information about you. In most cases, you supply the data willingly (or sometimes begrudgingly) so that you can access their services. Tap or click here for 10 Facebook privacy and security settings you need to change right now.

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Microsoft Patch Tuesday: Update now to fix 9 zero-days, 117 flaws

Microsoft recently revealed details about the upcoming Windows 11 operating system. It takes a completely different look, and many Apple Mac users might find it familiar. But just because it has a new OS on the horizon doesn’t mean that security patch support for Windows 10 has stopped.

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New rankings: Top 25 companies to work for in the US

The pandemic has changed the way we work. While people have been going back to the office, some jobs have become permanently remote. Offices have moved into smaller spaces and most meetings are still taking place virtually.

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Headed back to the office? Best way to keep an eye on your home from anywhere

You know the stress of being a parent. When the kids were young, you jumped at every sneeze, cough and wobbly step.

Now that they’re young adults or teenagers, there are different stresses. Are they driving while distracted by texts and social media messages? At home, are they safe? Are they being responsible for getting home on time from school, not raiding your liquor cabinet and staying out of trouble?

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Saying goodbye to the year that wasn't - A New Year's message from Kim

I’ll not start by talking about how 2020 was not the roaring 20s we all hoped. We know it. We lived it. The past year was a dumpster fire on so many levels.

On the upside, I got to spend real quality time with my family. I went on walks with Ian, who has been Zooming his college classes. I had time to just sit and talk with my Mom. I also realized parts of my life that needed a change. I made time for myself every day. I cooked new recipes, and wow, I can make sourdough bread like a master! Last night, I beat Barry at chess. I just picked up the game a few months ago! And my faith in God grew stronger.

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5 simple ways to keep your employees happy and productive

In the age of COVID-19, the benefits of being in the office can be reduced across the board or eliminated. Many are even working from home. Now, more than ever, it’s important to keep your employees happy and productive during what can be a confusing time.

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Vets eligible to get internet for $10/month and cheap laptop or PC

Are you a veteran or know someone who is? For all the years of service to our country, businesses are always finding new ways to say thank you. Recently, one internet service provider has made it easy for veterans to sign up for the internet without breaking the bank.

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