How to Fix Peeling Headphones: How I Saved My Headphones With a Simple Restoration :DIY Headphone Repair
- Teacher Nine
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
A lot of us have been there.
You have a pair of headphones that still sound amazing. They still work perfectly. They have been reliable for years. But visually? They are starting to look rough.
The ear pads start peeling. The faux leather flakes off onto your clothes. The headband covering begins cracking. Maybe the plastic has a few battle scars from being dropped, tossed into a bag, or simply used every day.
At that point, many people assume the headphones have reached the end of their life.
But what if they haven't?
What if the problem isn't the headphones themselves? What if they simply need a little maintenance and a second chance?
Recently, I refurbished my Audio-Technica ATH-M20x studio monitor headphones after using them for nearly a decade. Instead of replacing them, I replaced the worn parts, upgraded the comfort, and gave them a completely new look.
The result surprised me.
Not only do they look better, but they actually feel better to wear and perform even better for the type of work I do.
Click here to check the price on Amazon
Why I Refurbished My Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Headphones
I wear headphones constantly.
As a voice actor, musician, MC, DJ, and audio engineer, headphones are not just an accessory for me. They are part of my workflow.
I use headphones when recording vocals, editing audio, mixing music, listening critically to tracks, and working on creative projects.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones caught my attention because they are studio monitor headphones. Unlike many consumer headphones designed to make music sound more exciting by boosting bass or adding extra brightness, monitor headphones are designed to give you a more honest representation of what you are hearing.
That matters when you are recording or mixing.
You want to hear what is actually happening in your audio, not what a manufacturer thinks will sound more impressive.
After years of use, the headphones themselves were still working perfectly. The sound was still there. The drivers were still strong. The problem was purely cosmetic and comfort-related.
The faux leather covering on the ear pads had started breaking down. The headband material had aged. The plastic had some wear from years of being used.
But replacing the entire headphone set did not make sense.
Why throw away something that still works?
Is It Worth Fixing Old Headphones?
In many cases, yes.
A lot of headphone problems are not actually failures of the electronics. They are failures of the materials around them.
The most common issues are:
Peeling or cracked ear pads
Worn-out headband padding
Loose ear cushions
Cracked plastic sections
Broken hinges
Dirty or damaged cables
These problems can make a great pair of headphones feel old before they are actually finished.
Before buying a new pair, ask yourself:
Are the headphones still producing good sound?
Does the connection still work?
Are the drivers still functioning?
If the answer is yes, refurbishment may be the better option.
How to Fix Peeling Headphone Ear Pads
One of the most common headphone problems is peeling faux leather.
Over time, sweat, skin oils, heat, and everyday wear break down the material covering the ear cushions. This is especially common with headphones that are used frequently for recording, gaming, streaming, or DJ work.
The good news is that replacing ear pads is usually one of the easiest repairs.
Replacement ear pads are available for many popular headphone models and usually cost much less than replacing the entire headphone.
For my Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones, I replaced the original ear cushions with memory foam replacement pads.
The difference was immediately noticeable.
The new pads were softer, more comfortable, and created a better seal around my ears. That improved comfort during longer sessions and also helped reduce sound leakage.
For anyone recording vocals, reducing sound leakage is important. You do not want your microphone picking up your headphone playback during a recording. A good replacement ear pad can improve both the look and the performance of your headphones.
The Best Most Comfy Earpads
If your goal is to restore your headphones back to their original look, replacing the ear pads is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. There are replacement cushions available that are designed to closely match the original style, shape, and fit of the factory ear cups. Choosing a plain black replacement will give your headphones that fresh-out-of-the-box appearance again, while still preserving the original design that made you love them in the first place.
But restoring your headphones does not mean you have to keep them looking exactly the same. One of the fun parts about replacing worn-out ear pads is that you can customize them and give your headphones a little personality.
Many replacement options come in different colors and patterns, allowing you to keep the same comfortable design while adding a style that feels more like your own. For around the cost of a meal, you can completely refresh the look of your headphones without replacing the entire pair.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
If you want to go beyond simply restoring your headphones and actually upgrade the comfort, there are also memory foam replacement pads that can change the entire feel of your listening experience. These thicker, softer cushions can provide a better seal around your ears, improve comfort during longer sessions, and give your headphones a more customized look.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Do Replacement Ear Pads Change How Headphones Sound?
This is a question a lot of people ask.
The answer is: sometimes.
Changing ear pads can affect the sound of headphones because the material, thickness, and seal around your ear can change how sound reaches your ears.
In my case, the memory foam replacement pads gave the headphones a slightly different feel because they created a tighter seal around my ears. That improved isolation and made the headphones feel more immersive.
For studio work, that extra isolation can be useful because you want to hear your audio clearly without outside noise interfering.
How to Fix a Peeling Headphone Band
The headband is another area where headphones often show their age.
The top cushion gets touched constantly, exposed to sweat, and stretched every time you put the headphones on.
Instead of replacing the entire headphone, there are several options:
Replace the headband cushion if your model allows it.
Add a removable headband cover.
Use a protective wrap to cover damaged material.
Reinforce cracked areas if the plastic structure is still strong.
I chose a headband cover solution because the actual structure of my headphones was still solid.
It restored the appearance without requiring me to replace the entire headset.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
How to Repair Cracked Headphone Plastic
Not every headphone issue requires replacement.
Small cracks in plastic sections can sometimes be repaired depending on the location and severity.
Some common repair methods include:
Plastic-safe adhesive
Reinforcement strips
Replacement parts designed for specific models
However, be careful. If the crack affects the structural integrity of the headphone hinge or the area holding the driver, replacement may be the safer option.
The goal is not to force a repair. The goal is to extend the life of something that is still worth saving.
Refurbishing Headphones Lets You Customize Them
One of the unexpected benefits of refurbishing headphones is customization. When you replace worn parts, you are not limited to restoring them back to factory condition.
You can change:
Ear pad colors
Materials
Cushion thickness
Headband covers
Overall aesthetic
My replacement ear cushions gave my headphones a completely different look. The red and black design added personality while also making them more comfortable.
For creators, streamers, DJs, and performers, appearance matters.
People see your setup.
A microphone, headphones, lighting, and other equipment all become part of your visual identity.
What Products Can Help Refurbish Headphones?
Depending on what needs fixing, some useful items include:
Replacement ear pads
Memory foam cushions
Headband covers
Cleaning supplies
Small precision screwdrivers
Adhesive designed for electronics repair
Always check compatibility with your specific headphone model before buying replacement parts.
A replacement pad made for one headphone may not fit another.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
How Long Do Headphones Usually Last?
The lifespan of headphones depends heavily on how they are used and maintained.
Some headphones are replaced after a couple of years. Others can last a decade or longer.
My Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones are proof that affordable equipment does not automatically mean disposable equipment.
They have survived years of recording sessions, music production, DJ work, travel, and everyday use.
The electronics were never the problem.
The materials around them simply needed attention.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Headphones?
Before throwing away an old pair, consider what is actually wrong. If the sound is still good and the electronics still work, refurbishment may be the smarter choice.
Replacing ear pads or repairing cosmetic damage can breathe new life into headphones that still have plenty of years left.
Sometimes the best upgrade is not buying something new. Sometimes it is taking care of what you already own.
My Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones have been with me for years, and after refurbishing them, they feel like a completely different pair of headphones while still delivering the same reliable sound that made me keep them in the first place.
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