Seems lots of useful information went down the drain with the server crash.

Earbuds are not covered by the Apple iPod Warranty.

A sixteen year old gal from California posted the solution to my earbud buzz:

You may shake something loose in your earbud by rough or unintentional "whacking." May not even realize you did it. Seems that something is easily knocked loose, so, this gal figured it out:

To stop an ear bud buzzing, gently place the earbud to your mouth and suck, taking care not to get the earbud wet.

Honest! It works! Try it if you can stop laughing long enough to do so.