Pain with closed back headphones?

Submitted by jcabello7 t3_yv5604 in headphones

Owner of an Epos H6 Pro since a year ago, decided to switch to a wireless headphones for home/office/gaming/calls/music all in one headphones. Yesterday I received my new Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.
Until now I have used an Epos H6 Pro open back headphones and I have never had any pain or discomfort.

When using the Arctis Nova Pro I noticed a kind of discomfort or pressure in the inner part of the ear, like pressure on the eardrum. Even though I'm not listening to audio, just by putting them on I already feel discomfort and I hear my own voice a lot. I notice like an echo in my head quite annoying.

Thinking it was because of the strong seal, I bought some Arctis Nova 7 that have fabric pads and do not have ANC, but I have a very similar feeling, maybe a little lighter but the same feeling.

I love the freedom of wireless, being able to take phone calls and decent quality audio with the Nova Pros, but the feeling of discomfort is killing me.

When I go back to the open Epos H6 pro, the sensation of pain disappears immediately.

Does anyone have any clues as to what might be going on? Any solution? Thank you very much

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-Wilt t1_iwcpvwd wrote

Do you have Tinnitus? The isolation with the closed backs could extrapolate that. Do you have this issue with IEM's?

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jcabello7 OP t1_iwdbvpx wrote

Replying to -Wilt (#528,036)

Using closed earbuds (OnePlus Buds Pro) I have a similar feeling, but weaker. Not sure if it's Tinnitus.
I'm feeling like when you have water inside the ear.

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jcabello7 OP t1_iwgmtvo wrote

Replying to -Wilt (#529,298)

Checked and ANC is not the issue. Turning off ANC just make feel me worse.
It's just like I have a high sensibility to the closed headphones.

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Legal-Statistician-3 t1_iwn6ji7 wrote

I am trying to sell my arctis pro wireless for this exact reason.. I got some thicker "Leather" thick pads on the arctis so they seal pretty good maybe to good creating pressure that results in pain. I wear them alot tho, problem somewhat goes away with stock pads. But then there's the pressure of the headset overall and ears scraping against the drivers..

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Been thinking of trying some other kind of pads that breaths more.

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Edit;
I now solved the issue with a pair of Game one i got for ~80 euro "used" but near brand new, my ears are so happy and cool. No heavy clamping force and hard seal around ears 8 hours a day! YAY

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jcabello7 OP t1_iwni8uu wrote

Replying to Legal-Statistician-3 (#548,866)

I tried unclicking the stock earpads from the bottom, permitting a bit of air to enter/escape from the inside and that lowered the pain and pressure, but introduced more sound from the exterior. I just preordered a set of WC Freeze for the Nova Pro Wireless, let's see if they permit escape the air a bit more than the stock. For nova pro Wireless there are just full leather or Freeze (leather ext, velour int), there aren't full fabric or velour.

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Drakereinz t1_iwx1gtg wrote

Replying to jcabello7 (#529,201)

Maybe check with your doctor before you blame the headset.

I get ear wax lodged up in my ears that needs to be evacuated once a year or so, and if I don't it feels like I have an ear infection. That pain gets exacerbated when pressure is involved.

You could just need to clean your ears out. You can use olive oil to help soften up old ear wax.

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NeoBlue22 t1_iy9p7pi wrote

So I just came across this post and yeah.. same. I bought some DT 770’s to get away from noise and protect my ears. I do have tinnitus and all I got was as you described, pressure on my ears and somewhat painful discomfort.

I have no idea what to do now lol.

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