In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) are earphones intended to fit into the ear canal for a personal music listening experience. They are easy to use, but it can be tricky to achieve a comfortable fit and proper noise isolation using them. This is primarily due to a critical component that users often overlook – the ear tips. While IEMs come with a pair of default ear tips, it’s increasingly common to find manufacturers including sets of varying/different sizes ear tips (often small, medium, and large-sized round silicone and/or foam ear tips) and styles. Most people will experiment with those ear tips to determine what sounds and fits the best. But what if you can’t physically test them yet, like when you’re buying online? This article will teach you the ins and outs of picking the perfect ear tips while addressing the fit and comfort issues that many face while using IEMs.
Quick History Lesson: From Earbuds to IEMs
Most early personal audio devices were shipped with earbuds – a miniature speaker driver positioned to sit in the outer ear at the opening of the ear canal. Their sound quality was typically marginal, and many users (including myself) find them uncomfortable as they do not conform to the natural ear shape. It wasn’t long before the consumer market recognized that IEMs are a better match to the growing number of high-fidelity portable electronics (iPod, cell phone, etc). IEMs became an opportunity for manufacturers to improve comfort and sound quality playback from the standard earbud. They provided a universal solution for athletes, audiophiles, and commuters alike, by reproducing high-quality music playback in the ultimate package: portable, private, and isolating.
Mistaken identity
Ironically, many people still view IEMs as earbuds. You will find them seeking help with earbuds tips but actually own IEMs instead. Hopefully, we have cleared up these misunderstandings. There are also others who call ear tips as earphone tips. For consistency, we will use the term – ear tips.
5 Types of IEM Ear Tips
Let’s get down to the first basic concept of ear tips – understanding the different materials and options available.
1) Rubber Ear Tips
Rubber ear tips tend to be the hardest and least comfortable. Those with skin allergies may also trigger a reaction from contact. Due to these limitations, rubber is seldom used nor recommended as an IEM ear tip material.
2) Silicone Ear Tips
Silicone is chemically inert, thus, unlikely to cause ear irritation. However, some users have reported that silicone ear tips are uncomfortable for prolonged use. If you are using them for exercise, sweat can make the silicone surface slippery, causing the IEMs to slip or fall out of the ear. However, silicone ear tips are less noise-isolating than foam ear tips. That’s why they present a safer choice for users who need to be aware of their surroundings, especially runners. On the plus side, silicone can be easily cleaned, offering users a sanitary and long-lived option.
Recommended Silicone Ear Tips
Campfire Audio Silicone Earphone Tips JVC Spiral Dots Mee Audio Eartips RHA Ear Tips Shure Audio EASFX1 SpinFit Premium Silicone Ear Tips Westone Replacement Eartips
3) Foam Ear Tips
Foam ear tips are widely considered the most comfortable option, as they conform to fit the ear canal. They are essentially earplugs with a hole through the center (typically around a stiff rubber tube to allow sound to pass through the foam). They are known for creating a good seal and fit in the ear, with excellent isolation from external sounds. However, users from enthusiast sites such as Head-Fi often report increased bass (and decreased highs) due to a ‘funneling’ effect into the ear canal.
Comply™ Foam Ear Tips
The Comply foam tips is one of the most popular foam tips in the market. These memory foam ear tips create an excellent seal that greatly improves the noise isolation of the IEMs. There are certain models of the Comply™ foam tips that even come with a “wax guard” to mitigate the build-up of earwax in the tubes of the ear tips.
Do Foam Ear Tips Affect Sound Quality?
One common perception of foam ear tips is that it affects the playback frequency response. A good seal can increase bass response during playback, but often with a perceived corresponding decrease in treble response. This could be affected by the shape of the foam ear tip. Most of them are made with a stiff rubber inner tube with foam surrounding the tube. Careful insertion techniques (squeeze and roll before insertion), backward installation of the ear tip on the IEM, or even cutting excess foam from the tube may help eliminate this issue. Interestingly, measurements done by Inner Fidelity contradict this perception. Their measured results found that Comply memory foam ear tips do not substantially affect the sound.
The Occlusion Effect
Having a good seal with your ear tips is great, but one peculiarity is not often mentioned. The Occlusion Effect is a phenomenon we experience when talking while our ears are plugged: the unnatural low-frequency sound of our voice that we experience due to bone conduction. As the ear canal is plugged, sound cannot escape, and it gets reflected to the eardrum causing the low-frequency occlusion effect. This is not a significant drawback to avoid using IEMs, though. If you are new to wearing this type of earphones, it’s something to keep in mind.
Recommended Foam Ear Tips
Comply Foam Tips Alo Audio C-Tips Campfire Audio Marshmallow Foam Tips Dekoni Audio Bulletz InAirs Foam Ear Tips MandarinES Symbio Tips Shure Audio EAYLF1 Westone Replacement Eartips
4) Hybrid Ear Tips
Foam stuffed silicone ‘hybrid’ ear tips do exist, but they are relatively rare (bundled with some Sony models) and not as popular as the other types. There are aftermarket versions available if you are curious to try them.
5) Custom Ear Tips
For much less than the cost of Custom IEMs (CIEMs), some companies specialize in creating custom ear tips for your universal IEMs. Typically, this is done by ordering putty from the manufacturer to create impressions of your ears. Followed by sending the completed impressions, color choice, and your IEM back to the manufacturer. Within a few weeks, you will receive a pair of sweat-proof, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial tips that fit you (and only you) perfectly.
Recommended Custom Ear Tips
Microsonic Inc custom Tips Snugs custom IEMs Tips Westone Custom Series
How to Find Comfortable IEM Ear Tips
Achieving the right comfort and proper fit can be very tricky, if not almost impossible, for some folks. That’s because ears are unique in a way similar to fingerprints. In fact, even your left and right ear canals are not likely similar in shape and size. This is why manufacturers came up with various types of materials for ear tips with varying sizes. From soft and plushy foam to hard and sturdy rubber, including the multi-flanged design of inert silicon. Unfortunately, you can’t determine how comfortably they’ll actually fit in your ears until you try them. However, foam ear tips generally achieve the best fit besides being soft and plushy. As you insert them into your ears, they’ll expand to fill your ear canals, achieving proper seal. They also come in a wide range of densities.
Which IEM Ear Tip Type Is the Most Durable?
Silicone ear tips can last for years, while foam ear tips wear out over time (measurable in weeks or months of usage). Some memory foam ear tips can get somewhat gummy and tacky on the surface. This makes them prone to contamination by earwax and dirt with further use. Clean hands and ears do prolong the ear tips’ lifespan, but they will inevitably become soiled. Cleaning agents tend to corrode foam ear tips; that’s why water is generally the only recommended substance to use for cleaning. Consider foam ear tips to be consumable and factor in this cost when making purchasing decisions.
How to DIY Your Own Ear Tips
Durability and cost concerns with foam ear tips can be minimized by trying DIY alternatives, typically by cutting bulk disposable closed-cell earplugs to size and making a center hole. One option to create the center hole is to try a leather hole punch. Alternatively, flattening followed by drilling the earplug can create the hole, but this can be inaccurate. Another solution is soaking the ear tips in water, freezing them, and drilling through the frozen plug. This method requires more preparation but likely yields more consistent results. If your old worn-out ear tips can’t be recycled for the inner rubber tube, it’s possible to try aquarium tubing and cutting it to size. Several YouTube videos are available to illustrate some of the aforementioned techniques better.
Recommended Ear Plug Options
MZOO Sleep Eye Mask Honeywell Howard Leight Ll1 Laser Lite Foam Fents Quiet Please Ear Plugs Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
The Radians Custom Molded Earplugs is a custom DIY option intended for ear protection from shooting, sporting events, construction, lawn care, etc. Yet, DIYers have modified the installation process to use them as IEMs ear tips.
How to Properly Insert Ear Tips
Picking the right ear tips is winning half the battle. The other half requires you to wear them correctly. While silicone ear tips can be pushed directly into the ear, it may be helpful to try moistening the ear tips before insertion. They may be designed to go deep into the ear canal to achieve the best seal, but if any pain or discomfort is felt they should be removed immediately. The IEMs should feel snug, secure, and comfortable when inserted properly. Foam ear tips must be inserted like an earplug. This attains the maximum seal, isolation, and sound quality. The rules for earplugs are applicable to ear tips for IEMs. You can follow the steps laid out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on the insertion of foam earplugs:
Are In-Ear Monitors Harmful?
There are some health concerns to be aware of after extended usage of IEMs. For example, wearing IEMs can increase earwax production for some people, and can be linked to an increase in bacteria production in the ear. In addition, with silicone ear tips, pushing them directly into the ear canal could possibly push earwax deeper into the ear. Users of IEMs should follow regular, medically approved ear cleaning techniques (earwax removal solutions, removal by a physician, etc. – not Q-Tips!). Due to the naturally warm and moist environment, the ear canal has a higher population of natural bacteria than many other parts of the body. Increased bacteria production in the ear canal is seldom the result of the inserted IEM itself, rather it may be caused by improper cleaning or by dirty fingers and improper handling of the ear tips. Another recommended practice is to remove IEMs from the ears for a few minutes after a couple hours of use to allow the ears to rest. Rubber tips are the most likely cause of irritation for users with sensitive skin or allergies.
Hearing Damage due to Volume
Any sustained sound over 85 decibels (dB) can cause hearing loss, and many IEMs are capable of delivering in excess of 125 dB inside the ear canal (note: around 130 dB causes pain). At or above 130 dB, damage may be reversed in 1-2 days. However, if the inner-cochlear cells are damaged, damage to the hearing would be permanent. Remember that lower levels (85 dB and up) will cause damage with continuous exposure.
85 dB – 8 hours until hearing damage. 88 dB – 4 hours. 91 dB – 2 hours.
As per above, the time until the damage is done is cut in half with each 3dB increase in volume. This means that 115dB causes damage to the ear in 30 seconds. Sustained loud music is one of the common causes of hearing loss, as we tend to listen at loud (but not painful) levels for extended periods, especially our favorite songs or albums.
Conclusion
Finding the right ear tips for your IEMs is a matter of personal preference and the individual’s unique fit. There is no magic bullet or one-size-fits-all solution. Most often, users suffer through using the wrong ear tips before either abandoning IEMs for headphones or by luck, eventually finding a better match for them. Following the “tips” in this article should set you up to properly (and safely) select and use the ear tips that best fit your ears.
