What is the potential consequence of neglecting the care of headphone cushions?

Neglecting the care of headphone cushions can lead to the development of skin irritations. This occurs because over time, headphone cushions can accumulate sweat, dirt, oils from the skin, and bacteria. When these substances build up, they can irritate the skin, causing discomfort or reactions such as rashes. Proper maintenance of headphone cushions, including cleaning or replacing them as needed, helps to prevent these irritations and promotes healthier use of the headphones.

The other options depict effects that do not directly stem from the neglect of headphone cushion care. For instance, while sound clarity could potentially be affected by the condition of the overall headphones, it is not the most direct consequence of unclean cushions. Similarly, neglecting the cushions would not lead to increased wearer comfort or longer battery life, as those pertain to different aspects of headphone use and functionality.