My last three sets of earphones have been the blue Sony in-ear ones with ear-hooks, that cost about £10 (I don't know what their name is). I say last three because eventually I lose the sound in one ear or the other - they last maybe between six months and a year, and I keep on buying them because, compared to all the other piece-of-shit headphones I've owned, they're reasonably good at putting the sound where it's meant to go, and keeping other sounds out. I said reasonably good, not marvellous - and actually a bit crap at keeping noise out when only one ear works. They're also pretty comfortable.

Anyway, my latest set has just lost the right ear and I'm staying in Portugal at the moment which nice in many ways, but also bloody noisy so I really would like a decent set that will last. Last time I asked you lot for a recommendation it was my digital camera, which I'm very happy with, so I thought I'd try again. My requirements are:

1. Robust - Pretty much every pair of headphones I have owned, ever, has lost sound in one ear. This may have something to do with my habit of forgetting I'm wearing them, getting up to leave the computer and yanking on the cord. (I don't think I can really afford wireless ones) Unfortunately the internet seems to be full of reviews saying "I've been using these headphones all afternoon and they're great!" when I want to know what they're like a couple of years down the line.
2. Inexpensive - Current source of income - interest on savings, on-and-off web-based freelancing, plus approx $2/month in adsense revenue. ;) So I don't want to break the bank here. But I suppose I'm willing to invest in something that looks like it's actually going to last and do everything I want.
3. Blocks out external sound as much as possible, and also doesn't broadcast my music to everybody else.
4. Comfortable. And I prefer earphones to headphones as I like to lie on my side and read.

Any suggestions welcome.

PS. the cakes in Portugal are most excellent.