pros /cons with in-ear phones?

Question

http://mud.mm-a6.yimg.com/image/3555410426

one thing i can think of is that ear wax will be pushed further inside the ear(at least if your not cleaning them up)

Answer 1

All the models in the image are noise reduction earphones.
They are designed to plug the ear canal to block outside sounds, in order to allow the best reception of the sound through the device you are listening to. While this allows you to hear your music better at softer intensities to protect your hearing, minimizing your awareness of what's happening around you is also dangerous. Therefore, it is better to use these types of devices when you are in a relatively stable/safe environment. But if you are walking around in public, riding public transportation, etc., someone could easily sneak right up behind you.

Some of the earphones are made of flanged rubber tips, others have memory foam, and some are custom molded to the wearer's ears. Custom molded products tend to provide the most comfortable fit for earphones, Bluetooth earpieces, etc. The difference between the foam and rubber tips depends on the individual. The wearer compresses the foam tips prior to insertion, then holds them in place wile they expand to form a seal in the ear canal -- this typically results in a better fit, but some people don't like the pressure of the foam after while. The rubbery tips are fine for most people, but some have ear canals that are too small or large, or that curve are not round enough to hold the rubber tips in very well.

Yes, there is a risk of ear wax build up with in-the-ear products, just as there is for people who wear hearing aids. Most of the products are designed so they can not be inserted too far in the ear (and the custom fit are obviously the best), so the degree of risk of pushing wax deeper into the ear is less than that of using cotton swabs/Q-tips. Unless the wearer has these in their ears for ten or more hours a day, the ears' self-cleaning mechanisms should manage to work efficiently (all other factors being equal, of course).

As for the sound quality, that depends on the manufacturer of the speaker that is used inside the earphone. I'm sure there are many resources of reviews and comparisons of the manufacturers on the web. I knot the Apple Store have many user reviews for these products that you might find helpful.

Answer 2

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