# Rubber earbud tips **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 2, 2017, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293 "2017-12-02T01:59:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/1 "2017-12-02T01:59:47Z")
I lost a rubber earbud tip. I have no idea of the brand of the headset. It did not come with the phone and i dont recall where and when i purchased the headset. I’ve looked on Amazon at replacements and they have different sizes and different types for different brands. Is there some way I can determine what type to purchase? Does it even matter? Is there some kind of universal tip? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/2 "2017-12-02T15:21:23Z")
No one has an answer? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/3 "2017-12-02T15:30:37Z")
try looking in your ear. My husband has found one there twice. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/4 "2017-12-02T15:35:05Z")
Earbuds IME have a limited lifespan regardless of the quality/cost. I’d buy another set and an assortment of tips. As far as I know there is no Universal type. I have several different sets and they’re each a bit different from each other. Woot and Meh periodically sell earbuds. I’ve gotten good deals on their sales. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/5 "2017-12-02T15:36:06Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > try looking in your ear. My husband has found one there twice. Your husband found _his_ earbud tip in davidm’s ear? What are the odds? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/6 "2017-12-02T15:56:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Earbuds IME have a limited lifespan regardless of the quality/cost. I’d buy another set and an assortment of tips. As far as I know there is no Universal type. I have several different sets and they’re each a bit different from each other. > > Woot and Meh periodically sell earbuds. I’ve gotten good deals on their sales. My concern is that they fit the headset probably. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/7 "2017-12-02T16:15:07Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > My concern is that they fit the headset probably. If the brand name isn’t stamped somewhere on the buds, I’d guess they were cheap. That’s why in your shoes I’d invest in another set. Buy spare covers for your new set. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/8 "2017-12-02T16:16:03Z")
I have a ton of extras from swimming headsets I’ve bought. I can send you some to try out if you want! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/9 "2017-12-02T16:21:31Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > If the brand name isn’t stamped somewhere on the buds, I’d guess they were cheap. That’s why in your shoes I’d invest in another set. Buy spare covers for your new set. I paid like $20 for this set. I’m not sure if that’s considered cheap or not. I’m currently in the hospital and my brother picked them up for me at a local store. Unfortunately he doesn’t remember the brand or even what store. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/10 "2017-12-02T16:34:56Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I have a ton of extras from swimming headsets I’ve bought. I can send you some to try out if you want! Are swimming headsets just like regular headsets? I’m touched by your generosity. I’ll PM you. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/11 "2017-12-02T22:48:49Z")
my son lost the tips to his head set, I was trying to watch something on the puter in a crowded room full of conversation and in desperation to hear what was being said on the video, plugged his set into the puter and used without tips. Best. Fit. Ever! of any ear buds I’ve ever used. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/12 "2017-12-03T00:17:32Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Your husband found _his_ earbud tip in davidm’s ear? > > What are the odds? And twice! ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/13 "2017-12-03T18:35:00Z")
You can use wax in a pinch; beeswax or the kind used in earplugs. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/14 "2017-12-03T19:22:59Z")
Yes, you can buy replacements. Two the bigger makes are Comply and InAirs. They both list the size of ear tip you need for the brand of earphones. The diameter of the tube is what you need to know if they are unbranded. There is no universal one, but some particular sizes are used more often than others. But, as has been said, if the earphones are very cheap, it would cheaper to replace them than replace the tips. ETA: Have you looked down the back of your chair? They’ll be there, cozying up to all your missing biros. ETA 2: Actually, they are probably not rubber - most likely either foam or some kind of plastic. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/15 "2017-12-03T20:05:28Z")
Thank you everone. I’ve found the brand and model of headset and ordered some replacement tips online. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293/16 "2017-12-03T20:46:34Z")
I do love a happy ending.