Analysis and design of in-ear devices

The human ear is unique to each individual. However, the majority of in-ear devices only provide a small range of standardized inserts for fitting. This can lead to discomfort, poor sound quality, and in the context of hearing aids, underuse of the technology. Custom-fit in-ear devices aim to address these issues, but are currently limited by cost and time considerations. This research has developed automated algorithms to process state-of-the-art 3D scan data into fully functional inserts that can then be directly 3D printed. This has resulted in a substantial reduction in the processing time and cost of customised in-ear devices.