How come earbud headphones give me sores in my ear?

Overly tight: If your ear buds are embedded into your ear canal for long periods of time subjecting excessive pressure onto the areas of your ear canal, it will produce sores.

Pressure points.: Essentially, the earbuds don't fit your ear canal well. The pressure points on the canal are becoming painful and irritated. Try a different design, or spring for the custom-made in-ear monitors.