Dear God these things are killing me!

[FallN]

Hi all. I received my Shure E2c's today and my left ear seems to be horribly small. I'm using the smallest sized foamies. I roll the foamies, per instruction, between my thumb and forefinger to compress them. The right ear is fine, but my left ear can't even fit the earphone. The earphone just hangs on the outside and feels like it'll fall out at any moment. :(

I've tried gently finessing it in, slowly pushing it, even slightly torquing it... nothing works. My left ear canal is too small even for the smallest foamie...

Are there any smaller earpieces available or a trick I can use to get this thing in my left ear?

Thanks in advance.

[afalconsvick]

Well I guess they just aren't for you. You could try to jam it into your ear. Or you could tape it into your ear so it won't fall out...just kidding. If you don't like them just return them, where did you get them? Then just get another pair of some other earphones.

[FallN]

Hi Afalcon, I've tried jamming them and God my left ear is aching so bad. I feel like I've been raped... forcible entry and all, LOL! Oh, my virgin ears! :D

Anyway, I bought them online. They'll charge me for return shipping and possibly even a restocking fee... I'll find out soon enough.

But is there anywayt to "save them"? I really don't want to have to return them. The sound seems good so far, but the left ear needs a smaller foamie or something. Help? :(

[afalconsvick]

Well.. if you you pay for return shipping and a restocking fee you might want to list them on ebay. Or try to sell them here on the iPodlounge.

[FallN]

True... that's a last resort, but I'd rather find a way to work with them. Again, with a smaller pair of foamies or a mod or something... I can't be the only person with horribly small ear canals... has anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you rectify it?

Thanks again.

[Possédé]

I had this problem. Just lubricate the sleeve with your saliva and leave it in for long periods of time. Your ear should then expand to fit the sleeve in. It shouldn't take long.

[FallN]

You want me to lick the foamie? :eek:

Can I use K-Y or something? Will that ruin the foamie?

BTW: Possede: How is the bass on your E2c's? Mine is equal to the bass I had coming from the Apple In-Ears. :eek:

Maybe it's the poor fit of the left ear?? But even while holding the earphone in place with my hand, the bass isn't that great. :confused:

[Possédé]

Foamie, I meant the clear sleeve. Lol. The foamie doesn't fit in your ear?! No way. Check this (http://www.shure.com/earphones/howto.asp#) out. Make sure your putting it in correctly.

[FallN]

I'm no stranger to in-ear phones. LOL! I've read the "how-to" backwards and forwards. Again, I can get the right ear in all the way without a hitch. It's the left ear that's considerably smaller that I'm having the problem with.

I've "licked" the foamie and it still doesn't help... is it possible to "shave down" the foamie a bit and still get a good seal?

[toothpaste]

crazy glue works wonders. hahaha, sorry i needed a laugh

[Possédé]

Originally posted by toothpaste
crazy glue works wonders. hahaha, sorry i needed a laugh
HaHa! Lol! :p :p :p

[FallN]

But my foot up your asre works even better! LOL! Just kidding. :D

[A5H]

o.O
The smallest foam sleve won't fit..? They compress to nearly the same size of the tube the music comes down...
I would return them... Even shaving foam off won't help... It compresses a hell of alot so shouldn't even put pressue on your ear canal...

Ash

[Possédé]

Do not return them. You will just have to work with your left ear and try to expand it. If you can't get a foam sleeve in then you will not be able to get any other type of earphone in.

Try cleaning your ear. Wet your ear. With your other hand strech your ear upwards and then insert the foam sleeve. Keep trying this. It should eventually work.

[bordeaaj]

There are rumors of a new ultrasoft flexsleeve for the e2 similar to the ones for the e3 and e5 coming out from Shure mid-March. These are very comfortable and reasonably priced. I would call Shure to confirm this rumor at (1-888-887-4873) between 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST, Monday through Friday. Otherwise, you can also build a very comfortable modification using whatever Sony ex71 ultrasoft flexsleeve fits your ear best slipped over the cut off stem of a large shure silicone sleeve or the plastic core of a foamie with all the foam stripped off. The final mod looks like this and is very comfortable: http://www.ofoto.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=6xqcmr9.r8kk4gp&Uy=w9vx8v&Upost_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp%3FshowSlide%3Dtrue&Ux=0. There are other mods but this one built of the smallest ex71 sleeve is probably the best for your tiny ear canal. One tip...if you use a foamie core leave a thin layer of rough foam on one end to grip the flexsleeve so it doesn't slide off as easily. You won't get quite the isolation of the foam but I have found the ex71 mods far more comfortable and convenient than the foamies. Hope this helps a little.

[lokai]

Follow the suggestions from users who responded to this thread previously.

Also, have you thought about contacting Shure over this? Keep trying phone numbers until you can tell them the problem you are having. Shure seems dedicated to providing a comfortable, and high-quality listening experience to its customers. I am sure if they found out that a wider variety of ear-shapes and depths need to be supported, they would manufacture them for those in need.

If you report this to Shure in a very polite and adult manner, I am sure that you can help yourself (maybe not immediately, but certainly in the future), and others avoid this problem.

[FallN]

Yes, I have completely compressed the foamies, even wet them with saliva like Possede suggested. (I've even resorted to K-Y Liquid on the plastic insert on the left ear). It doesn't go in far enough to get a good seal, but the right ear does. Yes, I've lifted up my ear, yes, I've pushed and finessed. I know how to insert in-ear phones, people, that's not the problem! :rolleyes:

My LEFT ear canal is incredibly small (far smaller than my right ear canal). That's it. Not an improper insertion technique. :rolleyes:

As for that EX71 mod: are there directions/instructions on how to do it exactly because what you posted isn't too clear.

Thanks.

BTW: thanks for that number. I'm going to call Shure right now and see what they say.

[FallN]

UPDATE: I just called. Shure's offices are closed today for President's Day. So I'm outta luck until they reopen. :(

[Possédé]

Erm... I have no idea. Try what lokai said and contact Shure about this. I can't imagine how small your left ear must be. No more than 4-5mm. :eek: Lol. Weird...

[FallN]

Yeah, I don't get it either. I've always known the left one was a tinny bit smaller than my right, but D@MN, this is crazy!

I've been at it for 6 hours now! SIX HOURS! I've decided to give my poor left ear a break for a bit while I try to find a solution. Help? :( :(

[Possédé]

I really don't have a clue, sorry. :( Maybe you could buy some of that streching cream from the chemists? It's worth a try. :p

[bordeaaj]

Originally posted by FallN
As for that EX71 mod: are there directions/instructions on how to do it exactly because what you posted isn't too clear.
[/B]

Follow this to post #26 by RunsWithScissors for fairly clear instructions:
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49884&page=2&pp=20