Ear Plug Type Earphones Question
After accidentally touching my eardrum with a Q-Tip, I'm wondering if there is any possibility that an ear plug type earphone could hit my eardrum when inserted.
I'm looking at the Etymotic 4P. I'm assuming that there would be no possible way for me to insert them so far into my ear canal that I could damage my eardrum through contact.
I've tried to research this question, but the most that I could find was that a normal ear canal averages about 1 inch in depth before reaching the middle ear (or the eardrum).
If I knew with certainty that I could insert the earphones deeply into the ear canal without risking touching my eardrum, I would be more likely to do so and create a better seal.
[742 byte] By [
gnagel] at [2007-11-9 19:46:32]
# 1 Re: Ear Plug Type Earphones Question
Were you never told "Don't put anything smaller than your fist in your ear"? :D
Don't worry, all the in-ear phones seem to have a similar length to the foamies/rubber sleeves and they will only go about 1cm into your ear. Unless your ear canal is extraordinarily wide you should be fine.
Bob at 2007-11-15 15:26:51 >
# 2 Re: Ear Plug Type Earphones Question
After hitting my eardrum with a Q-Tip, no one had to tell me again not to put anything smalled than me fist into my ear! Boy, that hurts.
I haven't heard of anyone having a problem sticking the earplug type earphones too far into their ears. I wasn't sure if anyone had touched their eardrum or ever had problems removing a foamie.
Any further perspectives would be appreciated.
Thanks!
gnagel at 2007-11-15 15:27:49 >
# 3 Re: Ear Plug Type Earphones Question
If I recall correctly one member, who shall remain anonymous, did get Sony EX71 sleeve stuck in his ear after trying to adapt it for his Shure E2's.
As long as the foamies are pushed right onto the driver then they should not come off. As for them touching the eardrum, I think that even the small foamie is too large to get that far into your ear canal.
You only managed to poke your tympanic membrane with the Q-tip because it is such a long thin object.
Obviously I am not an ear specialist, so any advice is based on personal experience, but I would say you're safe to use in-ear phones.
If you do have any concerns consult a hearing specialist.
HTH?
Bob at 2007-11-15 15:28:48 >
# 4 Re: Ear Plug Type Earphones Question
No commercially made ear bud is long enough to touch an adults eardrum when inserted properly.
By that I mean, unless your a small child, small grown up, or just a freak who'd using a pneumatic nailgun to place your ear buds, you have zero risk of hitting your ear drum.
Now dont ruin it by cranking your ipod to 100% volume and just blowing out your eardrum... anyone can do that.
