The Effects of Ear Dimensions and Product Attributes on the Wearing Comfort of Wireless Earphones

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wearing comfort of wireless earphones. In order to test the effects of ear dimensions with the product characteristics on wearing comfort, first, a total of six ear dimensions were selected. In addition, each ear dimension was classified into two groups using K-means clustering analysis. Second, four major factors related to wearing comfort (pain, pressure, comfort, and fixation) with four sample products were investigated, considering the characteristics of the product (kernel-type/open-type), operation method (touch-input/button-press), and shape. Finally, a total of 38 participants (23 men and 15 women) participated in the experiments. The results show that pain in the ear canal was low to the participants who had a long length of the ear canal–incisura intertragica, and the fixation of the ear canal was high in the participants with a long incisura intertragica–antitragus cluster. Compared to open-type products, kernel-type products put more pressure on the ear canal area, so the participants felt less comfortable. In terms of operation methods, operating products in touch-input types caused less pain than operating products in button-press types did. Overall, the factors affecting user satisfaction and wearing comfort determined in this study will serve as a basis for the future design of wireless earphone products.