All of those things listed are probably designed that way. As soon as you put those covers on or anything after market, you lose some of the sound protection that they claim to have over other companies. In my opinon, they arent worth being uncomfortable. Even after I put a pair of SoftComm ear covers on my old DCs, they were still moderately uncomfortable. I know DC is built to last, but I cant see being in discomfort or pain over it.