They pop out in the middle of a great song, rub your skin the wrong way and are generally a pain in the ear. They’ve even been linked to a few infections.
Earbuds — technically termed “ear-level sound delivery devices” — are easier to tote with MP3 players, radios, phones and other audio devices than old-school headphones, but can be out of tune with the ear’s shape.
“A tight-fitting earbud may contribute to an ear canal being dark and moist, which may predispose toward the development of infections of the ear canal,” said Barry Hirsch, a Pittsburgh-based ear doctor who chairs the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s hearing committee.
To avoid problems, earbuds “should not fit too deeply in the canal, should not be composed of brittle material or have sharp edges,” Hirsch added.
New technology has put relief within reach. For example, Lobies are pliable, comfortable, slug-like slings for earbuds that slip around the ear, surrounding earphones with a cushion of air. The durable, passive acoustic support devices are made from a washable, latex-free, “thermoplastic elastomer” gel. Some users report losing a bit of bass, but little else is sacrificed aside from aching ear canals. The cost: $12.
Guided by ear canal research, Klipsch Audio Technologies parted ways with the standard model of putting a round peg in an oval hole.
“Round eartips create typically two pressure points in the ear, which ultimately can lead to a painful experience,” Klipsch product manager Tom Gospel said. To create a design that lets users “feel your music, not your headphones” while ensuring safety, his group worked with the Indiana University School of Speech and Hearing.
Ear canal impressions from 100 people revealed “that the ear canal is as individual as a fingerprint,” Gospel said. Because one size does not fit all, each package of Klipsch’s new Custom series earphones comes with a set of contour tips: small, medium and large single-flange, and small and large double-flange. The lightweight yet durable silicone gel tips stay in place and can be washed — which is good for performance as well as hygiene. A cleaning tool is included.
Also, the new earphones’ reinforced flexible wires adjust around the earlobe for comfort and the desired degree of noise isolation, from blocking out chatter to allowing some ambient sound for safety on thestreets.
Bose has also introduced In-Ear headphones that rest in the bowl of the ear, not the canal. At $129 and $99 respectively, the new Klipsch Custom-1 and Bose models might not resonate with tight budgets, but their quality audio and comfort make a welcome sound for sore ears.
Earbud info
» Ear health information from the American Academy of Otolaryngology
www.entnet.org
» Custom earphones
www.klipsch.com
» In-Ear headphones
www.bose.com
» Lobies
www.mylobie.com
