Ever since I bought my iPod a few years ago, it’s always by my side. From the journeys into the InventHelp office, to the walks in the park, to cross-country flights, Invention Girl and her beloved iPod were together in tune through life.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that the sound was cutting out on one side of my headphones. This happens to me often because, admittedly, I’m a headphone abuser. I coughed up the cash for a new set like I have so many times before, only this time, the problem persisted.

Oh, the anguish! Having to choose between listening to my tunes in one ear or not at all is a fate I wouldn’t wish on any music lover.

I made an appointment at the Genius Bar at my local Mac store to speak with a technician, who confirmed that my headphone jack was on the fritz. My options? I could get an expensive AM/FM converter that attaches to the bottom of the iPod and provides another jack or recycle the iPod for a discount toward a new one.

Unfortunately, Uncle Sam hit InventHelp’s Invention Girl pretty hard this tax season, so I shopped around for a more cost-efficient way to fix my iPod. Luckily, a combination of tool kit inventions and an online community of do-it-yourselfers provided me with a new option: replace the headphone jack myself.

I found a great deal for the replacement headphone jack on eBay, and two weeks and $6 later I had my tools and replacement part. Next, I looked up how-to videos on YouTube.com. With the help of the ever-handy Invention Guy, we opened up the iPod, removed the bad jack and replaced it with the new one. Sure, we had to pause the video about 50 times, but who’s counting?

If you’re having issues with your battery or hold button, there are videos and tool kits available to repair those, too. But, let it be known that Invention Girl and InventHelp don’t necessarily recommend slicing open your iPod. I took on this repair fully prepared to replace my iPod should I end up on the losing end of this technology battle.

With the help of some rogue do-it-yourselfers and a few tiny tools, my fixed iPod and I are now back to our morning commutes and blissful walks. InventHelp’s Invention Girl: 1 – iPod: 0!

Related InventHelp posts:

1. iLove the iPod Stereo Pool Oasis
2. Dig Out Your Library Card: Checkouts Go Digital
3. Fox News Picks 10 Worst Inventions of the Past Century
4. Fun with Spring Cleaning Inventions
5. Enjoy the Outdoors with New Camping Inventions