Custom-made earphones are 3D printed to fit wearer's ears perfectly
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Even the most expensive, lightweight earphones feel a little alien when pushed into the inner ear.
But a San Diego-based firm is hoping to change this with custom-made buds that are perfectly moulded to the wearer's ears' shape and size.
Called OwnPhones, they're also completely wireless and sync to phones and music players through Bluetooth.
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Each wireless OwnPhone is custom-made to fit the wearer's ear (illustration pictured). Colours, styles and materials of individual OwnPhones can be personalised, and the firm claims there are more than 10,000 possible combinations
Each earphone can also be personalised with a variety of colours, styles and materials.
The company, founded by San Diego-based Itamar Jobani, claims there are more than 10,000 possible combinations of Ownphones.
Customers begin by taking a photo of their ear and uploading it to a smartphone app.
This image is analysed using specialist software, which plots the size, shape and curves of the outer ear, as well the part of the inner ear that is visible.
OwnPhones use these scans to build a virtual model of the ear before 3D printing an earphone to fit this comfortably.
Sound-wise, the firm claims that because the OwnPhones sit in the ear snuggly, they can block out a certain level of noise.
However, to cancel out all other noises, the OwnPhones use what the company calls Soundscaping.
Customers begin by taking a photo of their ear and uploading it to an app. This image is used to create a 3D-printed model. OwnPhones are available to pre-order from Kickstarter for $149 (£88), but are expected to retail for $299 (£177) from March. This includes a Jewellery Collection range (pictured)
This Soundscaping features is said to be able to lower environmental noises.
Wearers can also use the app to let certain sounds penetrate the earphones including an alarm, or a friend's voice.
The company calls this Real World Notifications.
The firm claims that because the OwnPhones sit in the ear snuggly (pictured left), they block out a certain level of noise. To cancel out other noises, the OwnPhones use what's called Soundscaping. Elsewhere, certain models of OwnPhones are fitted with LED lights (right) that indicate whether the wearer is busy, or free to talk
Elsewhere, certain models of OwnPhones are fitted with LED lights that can indicate whether the wearer is busy, or free to talk.
OwnPhones are available to pre-order from Kickstarter for $149 (£88), but they are expected to retail for $299 (£177) when they go on general sale in March.
This includes a Designer Fit, a Smart Fit - which feature the LED lights and notifications - and the Jewellery Collection.
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