^ The last Wagner thermo quiets I put on a couple different vehicles (not Explorers) were ceramic.
I'd pull the pads off and take a wire brush to the slide rails and check grease on the slide pins, though if it is happening roughly equally on both sides, it is doubtful both are suddenly starting to seize simultaneously.
Could it just be that you've had less rain than usual so the dust isn't getting rinsed off by that? Are there deep ridges worn into the rotors? That can accelerate pad wear.
As far as wearing rotors faster, some people say they do, some say they don't or even wear them less. It might depend on the other properties of the pad or state of the rotor, caliper, slide rails, etc when installed. You can put a brand new rotor on but if it has more runout, you'll have more wear.
In recent years many states have been limiting the amount of heavy metals in brake pads, metals like copper which were there for its benefits. They weren't just in "semi metallic" pads but ceramic too. This means pads you buy now and in the future, may not be the same as those bought ten years ago. I don't know to what extent current brands and offerings have been reformulated.
