Perhaps the last thing that anyone would think of when it comes to buying headphones is comfort. With all the information out there on the net and in shops no one tells you the most obvious fact and that is ?try it on before your buy it?.

It is all very well spending upwards of $1,000 dollars - for you super rich out there! - on a new set of headphones only to find them so uncomfortable that you avoid putting them on!

So what do you look for in comfort? Well, first decide if you like the sound right inside your ears or outside. If outside, do you want the ?circum? style which sits around the ear or the ?supra? style which sits right on the ear?

All have good points and bad points and it is up to the user which style to buy.

The circum style sits around the ear and gives a slightly muffled sound as if the user is sitting in an auditorium whilst the supra style feels like the instruments are right there next to the ear.

Whichever one is preferred make sure that the material on the ear pads is comfortable. Many have leatherette style coverings which can get a little sweaty in hot conditions. Velvet style pads do not have this problem.

For portable headsets personally I don?t like ear bud styles because they make my ears hurt!! Having tried them out on several occasions I have to vote for the other styles mentioned here.

Headphones have been around for many years but in these days of health and fitness regimes it has become apparent that specialized headsets are necessary.

Normal portable headsets virtually bounce off the head when the user is jogging or such like and can distract from the aim of the exercise.

Others are far too big or cut out all of the peripheral sound potentially placing the user in a dangerous position.

Imagine being deep into the exercise with the music adding to the intensity. The user could easily run into a busy road or into another dangerous position without being fully aware.

Apart from fitting securely the headphone set must be easy to clean and also be able to be used in low temperatures. Added ability to resist sweat and humidity is also a requisite for this type of headset.

Some headphones come with a lanyard, ideal for joggers, with removable straps to attach the player to a neckband if necessary.

Others come with extension cords so that the player can be carried in the pocket.

Perhaps the most unusual headphone set yet is the one replacing the headband model. The LX 70 sports model consists of a thin flexible plastic tube with a metal inner
core.

It is impossibly light and yet extremely tough and is possibly one of the best sets for sports available. The price is around $55.

Whichever sport you play it is imperative that you find exactly the right model that fits the sport you play.

Of all the headphones that are on offer, which of them physically damages hearing? Or is it down to the individual
to monitor their own safety?

Well, some companies have offered a safe alternative - but some have been discontinued due to poor sales.

Some companies produced equipment which limited volume automatically or warned the user when the sound was set too
high.

The public rejected the idea with the response that it was up to the user how loud their music should be. That line of
equipment was quickly discontinued.

Today, some companies have introduced systems whereby volumes on different tracks are corrected to the same level.

Others provide a system for the user to manipulate their own preferred settings and gives better control than the auto-corrected version.

Some governments have jumped on the bandwagon in recent years and have imposed limits on the levels of sound personal equipment can emit.

Of course, many have said that this is infringing on the freedom of users and use other software to remove the limits.

These governments have used the arguments that not only does the hearing damage caused bring a financial burden on the economy - future hearing loss medical interventions - but also the burden of accident victims who have caused, or been involved in accidents, due to the inability to hear the surroundings when immersed in their personal music players.

Of course it will always be up to the individual on how loud he/she wants their music to be. Perhaps the answer lies in education.