General educational reading. Not professional advice. For hearing symptoms, safety decisions, or medical concerns, talk to a qualified professional.
Replace ear pads, don't replace the headphones
On most over-ear models the ear pads wear out long before anything else. Replacement pads are usually cheap and turn a tired-looking pair back into something pleasant.
Bend cables less
Cables die at the ends. Coil them loosely, never tightly, and never around the headband. A 90-degree plug saves the joint that fails first.
Keep them out of bags loose
Bare headphones thrown into a backpack get sat on, snagged, and crunched. A simple case is the difference between four years and eight months.
Firmware updates are worth it
Wireless headphones often gain ANC and battery improvements after launch. Plug in once a quarter and let the app update them.