Losing an earring while traveling is the worst because if it's gone, it's gone forever. There's not that chance that it will turn up three weeks later in between the couch cushions or on the bathroom floor at home. That's why it's important to have them securely packed in one place. To achieve this packing hack, remove the backs of studded earrings and stick the earrings in a wine cork like push pins.
A pair of headphones also falls into the category of pesky yet essential packing items. To avoid constantly untangling headphones when you go to listen to music, simply stick the end into one side of the cork and wrap the entire strand until secure.
