Mild electric shock on right of In-ear headphones?

[Carlo]

I've been using a pair of iPod In-ear headphones regularly for almost a year. Something unusual happened these past few days. What I initially thought was static electricity is turning out to be a mild electric shock on my right earbud whenever I use the iPod on the treadmill.

The buds works normally except for the two isolated incidents when my right ear got zapped.

I checked the earbuds and the wires and both are still in good shape. I checked the iPod and everything seems to work well.

It only happens on this treadmill and nowhere else. Could the treadmill be the culprit? Why only the right ear?

*scratches head.

Any thoughts?


BTW, if anyone is curious, the hearing on my right ear is still intact



[Edited on 12-20-2004 by Carlo]

[Macmon]

Does it also happen when you use your ipod even NOT on the threadmill?
If it does not happen then it is not the wirings of the earphones.

It may still be static electricity that is generated .
It seems the ipod is attached to the equipment. Can you try to use it while attached to you?

[vicicasas]

Here's a funny one. Does it happen no matter what pair of shoes you're wearing? Or do you always wear the same pair of shoes to the gym?

I have a pair of Nike Prestos that I cannot - CANNOT - use on the treadmills at Fitness First because the instant I work up a good run and then touch any part of the treadmill, I get zapped. So everytime I go to the gym, I make sure I'm wearing any pair of shoes but those...

[mignac]

I'd chalk this one up to static electricity

[Eric]

Originally posted by vicicasas
Here's a funny one. Does it happen no matter what pair of shoes you're wearing? Or do you always wear the same pair of shoes to the gym?

I have a pair of Nike Prestos that I cannot - CANNOT - use on the treadmills at Fitness First because the instant I work up a good run and then touch any part of the treadmill, I get zapped. So everytime I go to the gym, I make sure I'm wearing any pair of shoes but those...

Same here. Whenever I use my favorite pair of Adidas trainers, I get zapped but when I use my Nikes, I don't. Must be the construction--this particular pair of Adidas trainers use a mesh-like construction similar to some Prestos. Must be the butas.

[Edited on 12-21-2004 by Eric]

[Tantantiniiin]

1. It doesnt need to be the shoe pa nga eh, sometimes, those thick socks can be the source of static electricity, I always get shocked at home after walking in the carpet, then holding the (slightly corroded) door knob. As long as there is friction, there will be static electricty. A perfect way to avoid or minimize this friction, is to have a perfectly fitting shoe. Prestos, and the Climacool have "spandex" like materials that doesnt give constant fit, thereby resulting to friction of the foot/sock, and the insole of the shoe.

2. Some threadmills (i think) have this exposed metal that reacts to electric pulses from your hands. If you've been to Fitness first, there is this gear they make you hold which I believe, releases and measures electric pulses (or whatever it was) from your muscle (for whatever reasons). If you remember that gadget, then try to look at the treadmills - di ba they also have the same type of exposed metal cylinder (somewhere in the handlebar). And when you touch this, the (flashing, beating) red heart on the treadmill console also sync with your heartbeat.

So, it maybe, that your in-ear have exposed metal surface, and you've been running quite a while on loose fitting shoe on the treadmill (generation friction) and the moment you touched the exposed metal section of the handlebar, you've initiated the conduction of the static electricity. If you havent released the static in the handle bar, the all the static gets released as a shock in your ear, is coming from your body, jumping to the exposed metal part of the earphone.

Or I guess, this confuses you even more.

[Carlo]

Here's another thing I forgot to mention, the thing happens within minutes after starting and I could still feel a constant electric charge on the earbud after I removed them.

[Tantantiniiin]

Originally posted by Carlo
the thing happens within minutes after starting

That means it takes a while for static to build up. (friction of your shoe with the rubber conveyor belt). I fear using the treadmill alongside of you if you are already running for about an hour or so. :evil:

Originally posted by Carlo
I could still feel a constant electric charge on the earbud after I removed them.

Oh, Maaaan! You must be one of them "Supers"! Quick! Wear your mask,.. remember.... your identity is your greatest asset. :lol: and nnnooo CAPES. NO CAPES!!
"The Force" is definitely strong with you.

Seriously, On that last part, I cant find any scientific explanation. One more thing, as you jog, do you ever see your hair stand on end? or maybe your ear acts as a tesla coil and shoot lightning towards your earphone as you pull it away. Hey, tesla coils work that way, di ba? :evil:

peace man, peace :beer::beer::beer:

[Edited on 12-21-2004 by Tantantiniiin]

[yapi]

Yesterday I saw this post, and then I went on LJ and saw ibugyellow's post, and I ALMOST had a heart attack, I swear. I was putting two and two together and I thought the earphone zapping caused you to... you know. Grabe mhen. My poor heart.

[Carlo]

Originally posted by yapi
Yesterday I saw this post, and then I went on LJ and saw ibugyellow's post, and I ALMOST had a heart attack, I swear. I was putting two and two together and I thought the earphone zapping caused you to... you know. Grabe mhen. My poor heart.

"The rumors of my death have been greatly exagerrated" -Mark Twain

I've been posting from the grave.