iPod Ear Bud Shock

[nimicus]

Why is it that every now and then my ear bud will shock me out of nowhere? I'm just listening to music minding my own business when all of a sudden ZA..ZZ...ZAAA..ZAP!! It's feels like a static shock one would get from a finger except it comes from the earbud.

The only thing I can think of is that my Blackberry may be interfering with it somehow and inducing the shock, but besides that I don't know?

Does anyone have any clues?

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Sounds like a short in the earbuds. Take 'em to the Apple store and they'll replace 'em for free.

 

[yeroen]

I've noticed that happens with earphones after several months, particularly if it's cold and dry outside. Whether it's a short in the line, I don't know. I just go out and buy a new pair.

I agree it's a rather unpleasant sensation.

 

[zakee00]

Wow, I hope I never have to experience this

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

To the best of my knowledge - nothing inside your ipod or iphone generate enough voltage to cause a shock of any flavor. Same would go for your blackberry (at least nothing in the LED backlight electronics - the older CFL ones - MAYBE)

It's likely a plastic case you're using - a bag it's in, or your pocket - something is generating static, and it's likely traveling from your ipod - through the cable (which is insulated on the outside) and then arcs out into your ear.

I do have to say - I've never had that happen to me.

 

[archangel847]

i agree

Sounds like a short in the earbuds. Take 'em to the Apple store and they'll replace 'em for free.

I've actually had this EXACT same problem but with different headphones. I had a pair of like...$60 headphones by Sony that has hte rubber insert (sound canceling) and my ipod touch started to do it. I thought it was my headphones so i went out an bought diferent headphones that r plastic and go in my ear, and its still doing it. Sometime's it hurts like. hell!

help!?

 

[miglewis]

Because this is the top of Googles list...and it's winter...

It's not your earbuds, it's you. You are building up an electric charge and you are dissipating that charge through your earbuds. Any brand, any item that is conductive will allow this to happen. It happens in dry air, friction on fabric...getting up/sitting down in your office chair, etc. Wear over ear headphones or maintain a grounding to stop it.