Sony’s WF 1000XM4 earbuds are widely considered to be amongst the best earbuds currently available. They’re great for canceling out external noise, providing high-quality sound, and app functionality.
However, if they’re consistently falling out of your ears you’ll probably be wondering if you made the right choice when you bought them.
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to solve this issue and start getting the most out of your earbuds.
Let’s take a look at the most common reasons that your Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds won’t stay in your ears. We’ll also show you the best ways to fix this problem and make sure that they stay in your ears.
Sony Earbuds WF 1000XM4 Won’t Stay In Ear? Here’s Why
Ear tip materials
Sony’s WF 1000XM4 true wireless earbuds are made with silicone ear tips. These are designed to fit snugly into your ear canal but the material itself can become slippery when sweat and grime build up in your ears.
This is one of the most common reasons that your Sony earbuds can fall out. This is particularly true if you use them whilst you work out.
Earwax build-up
As your Sony earbuds are designed to be noise-canceling they effectively seal off your ear. If you use them a lot then this can cause earwax to build up which then makes your ears more slippery.
Earwax also takes up room in your ear canals which can prevent the earbud tips from inserting into your ears properly. Earwax build-up may also be made worse by other factors such as cleaning your ears with cotton swabs.
TMJs
Temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are located in front of your ears. They connect the temporal bones of your skull to your jaw. They’re used for movements like talking, chewing, and yawning.
If your ears are very close to your jaw then they’re also very close to your TMJs. If this is the case, then talking, chewing, and yawning will alter the shape and size of your ear canal. This will then cause your earbuds to fall out.
Ear shape
Sony’s truly wireless headphones come in one size that is designed to fit into the average shape of ear in the US. Unfortunately, this means that if your ears are bigger or smaller than this it may be more difficult for your earbuds to stay in your ears.
If your ears are bigger than this size then the earbuds can’t clutch onto your ears. If they’re smaller, then the ear tips can’t be inserted deeply enough.
Wearing them incorrectly
Your earbuds may also be falling out because you’re wearing them incorrectly. Sony earbuds are designed and molded to fit into either the right ear or the left ear. If you’re putting your earbuds into the wrong ears then they’re guaranteed to fall out.
The Benefits of a Good Earbud Fit
Noise cancellation
If your earbuds fit properly then this will create a solid seal. This leads to better noise isolation as it blocks out ambient sound. By blocking out sounds it means that you can focus on what you’re listening to and drown out unwanted noise.
Sound quality
There are many benefits to Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds including great battery life, wireless charging, and a stable bluetooth connection. One of the main benefits is the amazing sound quality provided by the new integrated processor.
If your earbuds are fitted into your ears correctly then you’ll be getting the most out of the sound they produce. When they’re inserted correctly you’ll notice that the bass is more resonant and deep.
Comfort
Your ears are a very sensitive part of your body. If the earbuds you’re wearing aren’t fitted correctly then there may be too much pressure on your inner ear. This can cause discomfort and irritation.
For some people, this may only be a minor annoyance. But for others, it could lead to earaches. If you’re going to be wearing your earbuds a lot then comfort should be your main priority.
How To Prevent Your Sony Earbuds From Falling Out
Change the ear tips
Your Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds come with a bundle of ear tips in several different sizes. Medium-size tips are equipped as default but if they aren’t the right fit for your ears you can use a different size. Many people find that they need to use different sizes for each ear.
This is a nice feature of these earbuds as many brands only provide one size of tips with their products. Sony gives you plenty of options and the different-sized tips are included as part of the package.
Further, Sony has an option available on the app that helps you determine what size of tips you need. See here for a step-by-step explanation.
Wear them at an angle
Another good way of making sure your earbuds don’t fall out is to wear them at a slight angle. Put them in and shake your head slightly to see if they stay in. If not, adjust the angle a little and try again. Keep doing this until you find an angle that works for you.
*Purchase aftermarket ear tips
More often than not, this is the step that will solve your problem. If the earbuds keep falling out regardless of which size ear tips you used, you will need to find a tip in a different size, shape, or material.
- The SpinFit CP360 is hard to beat, especially considering the price.
- Comply Foam is another product that scores high marks, but you will need to replace them with more regularity.
Insert them correctly
The tips of your Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds need to be properly inserted into your ears for them to stay in. They can’t simply be placed into your ears. Here’s how to do it:
- Locate the ‘L’ and ‘R’ markings on your earbuds.
- Make sure you place each earbud into the correct ear.
- Give your ear lobes a gentle pull and slowly push the ear tips into each ear canal. Make sure you do this very gently.
- Adjust your earbuds so that they’re comfortable.
Clearly Sony acknowledges that the earbuds are prone to falling out, since they have prepared a help guide for this problem! If you feel silly about reading a help guide for how to properly insert earbuds, the short version is that you should twist the earbud while placing it in your ear to allow for a tighter fit. Also, slightly tug on the top of your ear while inserting the earbud.
Wear ear warmers
During cool weather, you could try wearing ear warmers whilst you’re out and about. These will keep your ears warm and will also help to hold your earbuds in place. This is really useful if you wear your earbuds whilst you’re jogging outdoors.
Just make sure that you don’t wear really tight ear warmers which could push the tips too far into your ears.
FAQs
Can I wear Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds in the shower?
Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds have an IPX4 certification. This means they are resistant to water. They’re resistant to sweat, too, so you can wear them during heavy workout sessions without any issues. They’ll also be fine if some raindrops fall on them.
However, you should still avoid water submersion and shouldn’t wear them in the shower. This might risk causing damage to them.
How long do Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds last?
On average, Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds last for around 3 years. This is a good lifespan for earbuds within their price range. They should last for this long even if you use them daily and during exercise.
Do Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds support Siri?
Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds support 3 different voice assistants. They’re compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. This means they’re very handy for making calls whilst you’re on the go.
Are Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds good for noise cancellation?
Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds are considered to be some of the best earbuds on the market when it comes to blocking out external noise. The tips are well-designed to fit snugly into your ears and isolate noise effectively.
Final Thoughts
Sony WF 1000XM4 earbuds are some of the best earbuds around and you’ll want to get the most out of them. However, if they’re not properly fitted into your ears then they won’t effectively cancel noise, provide good sound quality, or even stay in your ears.
As we’ve seen, there are many reasons why your earbuds might not be staying in your ears. It could be that you’re using the wrong size of tips or simply that they’re not in the correct ears.
More likely, you will need to purchase new ear tips that better conform to your ear.
If you follow the steps in this guide then you should be able to fix the issue. Then, you can start enjoying your earbuds as they’re intended to be enjoyed.
Sources
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-WF-1000XM4-Industry-Canceling-Headphones/dp/B094C4VDJZ?th=1
https://www.soundguys.com/how-to-fix-problems-with-the-sony-wf-1000xm3-36585/
https://www.headphonesty.com/2020/11/keep-earbuds-from-falling-out/
