Subjective test method for evaluating ergonomics of in-ear and intra-concha headphones

Vaalgamaa M, Laaksonen L. Subjective test method for evaluating ergonomics of in-ear and intra-concha headphones. In: 2025 AES International Conference on Headphone Technology. Audio Engineering Society; 2025. Paper 7. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22933

@inproceedings{Vaalgamaa2025_22933,
  author = {Vaalgamaa, Markus and Laaksonen, Laura},
  title = {{Subjective test method for evaluating ergonomics of in-ear and intra-concha headphones}},
  booktitle = {2025 AES International Conference on Headphone Technology},
  note = {Paper 7},
  year = {2025},
  month = aug,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22933}
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - Subjective test method for evaluating ergonomics of in-ear and intra-concha headphones
AU  - Vaalgamaa, Markus
AU  - Laaksonen, Laura
T2  - 2025 AES International Conference on Headphone Technology
M1  - Paper 7
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/08/18
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22933
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - We present the motivation and testing methods for subjective evaluation of ergonomics of earbuds, including in-ear, intra-concha headphones, and hearing aids, by human testers. Earbuds have become increasingly popular for enjoying music, videos, and communication over recent years. However, many users and reviews report that headphones are not always comfortable, highlighting the need for effective testing methods. This paper introduces an efficient test method that requires approximately 15 minutes per device per tester, facilitating a fast and reliable way to compare different headphones. Our focus has been on practical and significant aspects of physical and functional comfort, addressing questions such as how easy it is to position the headphone in the ear, its comfort during wear, and whether it remains securely in place. We have omitted other aspects such as acoustic or psychological comfort, as these can be assessed using alternative methods. The method outlined in this paper has been successfully implemented in several studies over the past years. Finally, we include some example results and lessons learned from our research to assist others in effectively applying this method.
ER  -