How To Replace Earbud Mesh (5-Min Guide)

Earbuds are one of the most popular audio equipment in the world. Everyone from audiophiles to athletes relies on them to listen to their favorite music or hear instructions during workouts.

If your earbuds are anything like mine, then the mesh that covers the speaker part is probably constantly coming off. It’s annoying, and it makes it difficult to hear sometimes. 

The mesh covering the speaker gets gross and full of gunk quickly. And with all that constant use comes a lot of dirt and gunk build-up in the mesh screens. But have you ever wondered whether the mesh on earbuds is essential?

Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to replace earbud mesh, so you can get back to listening to your music without any issues.

What is Earbud Mesh?

Earbud mesh is a material that is used to make earbuds. It is a thin, pliable material that can easily mold to fit the ear’s contours. Earbud mesh is typically made from a synthetic polymer such as polyurethane or silicone.

The mesh allows sound to pass through it while providing a snug, comfortable fit in the ear. Earbud mesh is an essential component of any good pair of earbuds.

Without it, the earbuds would not be able to stay in place and would be uncomfortable to wear. If you are looking for earbuds that will stay in place and be comfortable, ensure they have earbud mesh.

What is the Purpose of the Mesh?

Earbuds are an important part of our lives and should be cared for. That’s why it’s important to know the earbud mesh’s purpose.

• It plays a vital role in preventing the insertion of objects into our ears.
• Meshes prevent the earbuds from earwax or debris from inserting into our ears.
• It also gives comfort to our ears while listening to music.
• Also, the mesh helps to keep the sound in. So, if you remove it, you may notice that the sound quality decreases slightly.

The Disadvantages of Using Earbud Mesh

Though earbuds mesh is handy, you should be aware of a few disadvantages of earbud mesh.

1. Ear infections: Earbud mesh can cause ear infections, as the microfine wires cut into your eardrum. That can lead to a common otitis media problem, a middle ear infection.
2. Skin irritation: Earbuds with metal wires can also irritate your skin, leading to rashes and redness. If you wear earbuds often and swim or sweat regularly, you’re at a higher risk of picking up harmful toxins and bacteria from the water.
3. Ear diseases: Finally, when you wear earbuds with a wire frame, there is a higher risk of picking up some ear diseases from the wire.

How To Replace Earbud Mesh?

From frequent use, earbuds mesh gets dirty and catches debris or earwax. Then, the audio quality decreased dramatically, and the sound dimmed. You may wonder, why am I not hearing the clear sound? Now, it is time to remove and replace the mesh. Here is the process

1. You must remove and clean the glued surface and old mesh grid.
2. You can use a candy gift ribbon as the mesh grid.
3. This tape consists of synthetic threads. So, you can use water.
4. You can also use fabric for the speakers easily from special audio shops or old speakers.
5. Cut off a small square or circle from the ribbon.
6. Pull the silicone ear pads over the headphones with that ribbon.
7. And it’s as easy as that.

How To Clean the Earbuds Mesh?

After using a while, the mesh on your earbuds starts clogged with dirt and debris. If not cleaned regularly, this can eventually lead to sound quality issues. So how do you clean the mesh on your earbuds?

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to do. You only need cotton buds, some isopropyl alcohol, or Blu-tack.

1. Remove the earbuds from your ears. 
2. Use a cotton bud to scrub all dirt and debris off the mesh surface gently. Rub in a circular motion if needed. 
3. Repeat the process until all cleaning is done. Be sure to change the bud frequently.
4. If the mesh is stuck on the earbuds, use isopropyl alcohol on cotton buds for cleaning. 
5. Once all cleaning is done, reattach the earbuds by placing them back over your ears and clicking them into place. Be sure to replace any small screws that may have come loose during cleaning.
6. Take a piece of Blu-tack and warm it up in your palm. Gently place it on your earbud’s mesh and pull it out quickly. Repeat the process until you get a clean mesh.

What Happens If You Remove the Mesh from The Earbuds?

It can easily happen that the mesh covering the earbuds gets lost. The following can occur if you have lost or forgotten where to keep it.

• The sound quality will decrease slightly (due to the lack of insulation on the earbuds). But you can hear the music loudly as it doesn’t cross any obstacles.
• It’s harder to hear outside noise since you’re limited by how well the earbuds can reproduce sounds (meaning, you might not hear softer noises clearly).
• You’ll likely start to get earwax build-up again because dirt and debris will easily stick to those mesh surfaces – which is why it needs regular cleaning.

What Does the Mesh Filter on Earbuds Do?

Like any other electronic device, earbuds come with a filter that plays a vital role. The filter helps reduce noise and block out some of the external sounds. But the filter doesn’t just stop noise from coming in.

It also helps amplify sounds so they’re clearer and easier to hear. Moreover, the filter prevents earwax from building up inside the earbuds.

Is It Safe to Use Earbuds Without the Mesh?

In a word, it is not safe. Because without the filter, earbuds expose your ears to more noise and outside elements. Plus, it’s really easy for earbuds to get lost or misplaced. Which means you wouldn’t be able to enjoy your music fully without them.

However, if you want to use earbuds without the mesh, it’s best to do so when necessary and keep a backup set of earbuds around just in case. Therefore, we recommend always using the mesh cover when using earbuds.

Metal Mesh: Is It Better?

Earbud mesh was chosen over traditional earphones or headphones. The metal mesh is safe because it is replaceable and doesn’t touch your ears. So, what makes metal mesh earbuds so great?

For starters, they’re incredibly durable. If you’re constantly throwing your earbuds in your bag or dropping them on the floor, then you know how important this can be. Metal mesh is also great at avoiding dust and debris- meaning your earbuds will last longer and sound better.

But perhaps the best reason to switch to metal mesh earbuds is the improved sound quality. But also it can get sharp and cause discomfort if it touches your ear.

Is it possible to DIY my own earbud replacement kit?

Yes, it’s possible to DIY your earbud replacement kit by following these easy instructions. You’ll need

1. A needle and thread,
2. Some speaker wires,
3. Heat shrink tubing,
4. A pair of scissors, and
5. An adhesive.

The process:

• You must remove the old earbud mesh from your earphones by cutting off the connecting wires.
• Strip about 1 inch of insulation from each end of the speaker wire, then snip them into small pieces with scissors.
• Using the needle and thread, sew one piece of insulation onto one end of each broken wire piece, then carefully poke it through the other side of your new mesh material.
• Next, heat shrink tubing using a hair dryer or oven until it becomes soft enough to stretch once shrunken easily.
• Once the tubing is hot and soft, use the adhesive to attach the tubing to the mesh material on either side of the earphone.
• Make sure that the tubing is positioned to cover the entire earphone.
• Finally, trim any excess tubing off.

FAQs

Conclusion

Earbuds are vital to any music lover’s arsenal, but the mesh on many earbuds can be a safety hazard. Replacing the earbud mesh on your headphones is a quick and easy process that anyone can do at home.

With a few simple tools and a little time, your headphones can work like new ones again. So don’t throw away your old headphones just because the earbuds are worn out – give them new life with this easy fix.

James Dimento

James Dimento is a Chief-in-Editor of SoundUnify. He is a headphone enthusiast and creative writer passionate about audio technology. He has three years of experience writing about headphones and sound quality and is responsible for creating reviews and taking care of all administration.