Choosing the best earbuds for small ears can be a challenge, because ones that are too large often lead to discomfort and pain, if the earbuds will even stay in the ears; some people find they cannot wear this style of headphones at all and must instead opt for more traditional headphones that rest on top of the ears or fit over them. If you do want to use earbuds, however, there are some considerations to keep in mind. One option is to choose earbuds with interchangeable tips in different sizes; some people find that the smallest size makes it possible to wear these headphones. Another option is to choose ones with an extended aperture arm, meaning the small tip fits inside the ear canal, but with the rest of the earbud extending slightly outside the ear, which should prevent pain.
When choosing earbuds, do not choose ones that are made of hard plastic; these are almost universally uncomfortable for people with small ears, and will often just fall right back out. Instead, choose those that feature soft silicone or, the best choice for small ears, compressible foam tips. Molded silicone can be an acceptable choice, but some still find it fairly uncomfortable. Most headphones in this style come in just one size, but choosing a pair for small ears with interchangeable tips is another option.
These earbuds will generally feature a few different sizes; some deluxe models range from extra small to extra large, but most just come with three sizes ranging from small to large. The smallest size is often acceptable. Children should typically not wear this style of headphones, but the smallest option will often work for them as well. If neither of these options work for small ears, it is possible to order specially made ones designed to fit your ears; these are fairly expensive, but they will likely be the most comfortable.
Purchasing earbuds for small ears with an extended aperture arm is another option. These will not sit exactly flush with the ears, as most other styles of earbuds will. Instead, the small earpiece will sit inside the ear, and the rest of the earphone will extend outside the ear. Some people find these to be more comfortable, since less of the actual headphone piece is touching the side of the ear, which is what typically leads to pain.