Is it permissible to wipe over the outer part of the ears only during ablution if wearing earphones prevents water from reaching them and there is a fear of them being damaged?

Wiping the ears is recommended according to the majority of scholars. If wiping them would cause harm, there is no sin in omitting it. Thus, it is permissible to wipe only the outer part of the ear. The ablution (wudu) is valid even if wiping is intentionally omitted.