Re: Earbuds vs. Headphones
with earbuds, you're never going to get 'one size fits all'. The old plastic flat earphones in Economy were fine, and the Bose active ones issued up front are top banana for keeping all peripheral sound out - great for when you want a nap!
All phones/buds should be standard mini-jack stereo fitting - so, to avoid comfort problems, maybe you can take your own next time you fly AA. (assuming you've got some!)