Caution: Listening to iPod or iPhone could result in users receiving a small and quick electrical (static) shock from their earbuds. Products through which this could happen include iPhone accessories, iPod, iPhone and iPhone accessories. Recently, the support page of apple has been updated regarding the caution to be taken by the users while using the Apple products.
In places where the air is very dry, it makes it easy for static electricity to build up when utilizing headphones and users’ ears could receive a small electrostatic discharge from them. However, receiving a static shock from a pair of earbuds does not essentially mean that there is an issue with the iPod, iPhone, or earbuds.
When people drag their feet across a carpet, they could receive a static shock by touching a door knob. This is very similar to what’s happening with the iPod. Only, instead of the static charge building up on people’s body, the charge builds up on the device to which the earbuds are connected to. In the same way, the charge does not discharge through their fingers, rather it discharges through the earbuds.
This phenomenon is not Apple hardware centric alone. Static can potentially build up on almost any hardware and could be discharged using any brand of earbuds.
The reason for this static buildup is basically the environment where the electronic device is being used. Static buildup is also caused due to certain environments such as areas of very low humidity (dry) or very windy environments. Actions such as taking your device in and out of your pocket, jogging or exercising with your device can also cause a static charge. It is easier for clothes made with synthetic fibers (like nylon) to become charged with static electricity.
There are ways to minimize the risks of electrostatic discharge from the headphones. One way is to avoid using the headphones in extremely dry environments or touch a grounded unpainted metal object before inserting the headphones. Static electricity can be controlled by a number of different methods. The moisture level in the air of the local environment should be raised. This can be done either by using a portable humidifier or adjusting the humidity control on your air conditioner.
Anti-static sprays that can be sprayed into the air to reduce static exist in the market. Users who have dry skin can try anti-static hand lotion. Also it would really help if users wore clothes with natural fibers since synthetic fibers are more likely to hold static discharge. All these measures are good ways to combat static electricity while indoors.
While outdoors what users can do is try to keep their device out of the wind by means of a case, or leaving it in your bag or pocket. Also users should avoid removing their device from their pockets frequently as rubbing the device on certain materials can cause a static buildup.