The ear cups and padded headband on my QC2s recently started to disintegrate and shed black bits all over my head when I came to use them. A call to Bose UK got me a new set of ear cups for a very reasonable sum. As for the padded headband - not replaceable. However the chap on the help line suggested I did as he had done with his - wrap the headband in some black insulating tape to seal in the disintegrating cover. Works a treat. Only wear them on the plane or at home so no one notices.