"Ear bud" plugs

[wolfworx]

This question may seem trivial -- and perhaps a waste of time, but here it is anyway.

I use "ear buds: to listen to audio on my MP3 player. Recently, I counted half a dozen sets that failed due to leads over flexing at the plug end.

Because of the fine gauge of the leads, soldering repair does not seem possible.

Any suggestions for repair or prevention of the problem?