[Soent]

Hello. I've been reading from Head-Fi for more than a year now, but i just recently decided to join the forums because of how informative the community is. I apologize if there's something wrong with this post.
 
I am using the Shure SE 215 in-ear monitors for quite some time now, having it survived countless drops and cable yanks. Can these type of damages worsen the sound performance of the headphones? Or do headphones take mistreatment until they suddenly stop working? 

 

[Music Alchemist]

I cranked one of my headphones to max volume a few times and suspect I damaged the drivers, at least somewhat. A cable can partially short out, but if it starts to do that, it's immediately noticeable. All sorts of other things can go wrong, but it's nothing to worry about until it happens.

 

[billybob_jcv]

If you crack the stem of an IEM or plug it with wax or dirt, it will change the sound.

 

[hstubc]

Depends how you abuse them! 
 
Usually, a faulty cable would come out as intermittent sound or no sound.
 
If you mess it up with high volume, then the drivers will be damaged.
 
Check out the frequency response and see if the base is clear. Usually, the bass becomes muffled if there are issues with the headphones.
 
http://www.audiocheck.net/soundtests_headphones.php