Originally Posted by
cbob
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The plastic parts and cushions appear to have "aged" more rapidly than can be accounted for from the age and use of the headphones. Is it possible that the cabin air mix might be contributing to the premature failure? I do notice the smell of ozone on many of my AC flights, really pungent on a trip lately, and am concerned that if the cabin air is rotting my headphones, what is it doing to my lungs and eyeballs?
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Generally speaking they don't use expensive engineering plastic in these kind of products anymore. UV light does more damage to plastic than anything else.
I the case of travel headphones, oil from you skin and hair likely did the most damage. I had to replace the ear cushions on my Sennhaisers but the QC2 was used less and it stood up ok.