Behind the Impressions: A Q&A with Cosmic Ears Audiologists

Estimated Reading Time: 10 minute read

Taking precise ear impressions is one of the keys to creating perfectly fitting Custom IEMs and Custom Hearing Protection. Which is why we only work with the best audiologists with years of experience in taking impressions for custom in-ears, who bring deep technical expertise and a calming presence (ears are sensitive things, after all!) to capture the unique shape of your ears.

We sat down with Cosmic Ears' resident audiology experts to get the inside scoop on the clinic chair experience. From glitter-filled ear canals to behind-the-scenes gossip (Kylie even has glittery ear canals!), here’s what really goes into taking the perfect impression.

Meet the Ear Experts

Gisele Flower

Gisele Flower (Aid 2 Hearing)

Gisele Flower is an independent audiologist, regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a fellow of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA).

Stephen Fairfield

Stephen Fairfield (Fairfield Hearing)

Stephen Fairfield has 33 years of clinical experience and has been featured in The Scotsman for his work advising on next-generation hearing screening technology.

Kinga Pytlak - Cosmic Ears In-House Audiologist

Kinga

Kinga is a professional hospital audiologist and our trusted in-house partner, who we’ve been working with us for the last five years, every other Wednesday here at Cosmic Ears HQ.

Jonathan Doyle

Jonathan Doyle (Southwest Hearing)

Jonathan Doyle MSc BSc (Hons) RHAD brings over a decade of experience from clinics, including Harley Street Hearing and Clifton Audiology.

The "Ear Spa" Experience

Taking ear impressions is a pretty unique experience for the client - having cold putty syringed into your ear isn't exactly an everyday occurrence! What is the funniest, most dramatic or most unexpected reaction you’ve ever had from a customer while waiting for their moulds to cure?

Gisele: I love the feeling of the goo going into my ears, so I always tell people it's a lovely, relaxing feeling, like going underwater. That tends to make them feel comfortable, and most people enjoy the feeling. Perrie Edwards told me last time I did her ears that she looks forward to it, and it's like an 'ear spa', and I love that, so I use that quote a lot!

Jonathan: I have witnessed a stoic ex-military man go glassy-eyed, apparently achieving a mild, unexpected moment of euphoria. This was promptly followed by a vasovagal syncope, which is the medical way of saying they fainted clean away. One moment, they were in the chair experiencing what I can only describe as an accidental spiritual journey. The next, they were considerably closer to the floor than when we'd started. Everyone was fine. The impressions were perfect. We do not discuss it.

Meeting Musical Legends

Our team has worked with some absolute legends across all genres of music. Whether it’s a global superstar or a local hero, who has been your most memorable client encounter, and how did you keep your cool?

Gisele: For me, it's musicians that my 14-year-old self would be excited by that are the hardest to be cool over! I tend to be super cool until I've taken the impressions and I'm happy with them. Then I fan-girl! I might have had to take wax out too, and that's pretty intimate and invasive, so I try to stay cool on the outside until it's all done and good impressions have been secured!

Stephen: We've worked with many top musicians over the years. Gian Carlo Menotti, the composer, was a lovely guy who fled N.Y. and ended up living out in the sticks outside Edinburgh. Steve Miller needed our services when he was in town for a gig; my colleague and I argued over who would handle him, and I lost that round.

Perhaps the two that amuse me the most are Jerry Scheff, who informed me he had been Elvis's bass player, and I didn't believe him. It took some online digging for the penny to drop. And going way back, we used to see a fairly rough-looking pair of identical twins hanging outside the guitar shop next door to our clinic. Years later, they would go on to write some pretty catchy tunes, and we ended up doing work for their band, too.

Jonathan: On the local hero front, The Tors hold a very special place. There's something brilliant about being trusted by artists who are woven into the fabric of the place you live. On the other end of the dial, sitting across from The Corrs - calm and composed, while internally breathless. Keeping cool is all about breathing.

Unique Anatomy and Glittery Surprises

Ears are as unique as fingerprints. From incredibly hairy ear canals to microscopic openings, what is the most challenging, awkward or interesting pair of ears you’ve had to navigate?

Gisele: I have seen all shapes and sizes. From paper-thin canals, which I think were so small they were rejected for Custom IEMs, to large ones so big I needed two syringes for each ear to get the correct impression! This was a 90-year-old gentleman who was getting Cosmic Ears to listen to audiobooks.

My favourite story of finding something unusual in the ears upon inspection was Kylie Minogue. The very first time I looked in her ears to check the size and ear health, all I saw was beautiful shards of colourful glitter. Only Kylie can be glittery on the inside too! Turns out she had done a photoshoot a couple of days before in a bath filled with glitter that had found its way everywhere.

Stephen: The general impression that people have of their ear canals is that they are straight and level as they go into the head. But that is certainly not always the case. Canals with twists in them are a real problem to work with. For me, the worst canals are the ones that both angle upward and have a bend in them. They are a nightmare.

Prioritising Ear Health

Beyond the funny stories, the work you do is absolutely vital to preserving ear health. What is the most common misconception gig-goers have about hearing damage, and what is your number one argument for upgrading to proper Custom In-Ears or Hearing Protection?

Stephen: I think musicians are far more street-wise about hearing protection than they used to be. As are gig-goers. Interestingly, I think the fear of long-term tinnitus is a stronger motivator than the possibility of hearing loss, and something people are generally more irritated by, even if it's only short-term.

Kinga: Musicians will say it’s not that loud or that the excessive noise isn’t that often, but every noise exposure does accumulate. Although your ear can bounce back after noise exposure, repeated exposure can cause cumulative damage to your hearing over time. You should start protecting your ears from the beginning, not just when you decide that music will be your career.

Jonathan: The biggest myth is that hearing damage is purely about volume. Loud is a perception, not a measurement, and the human auditory system is considerably less forgiving than it appears. The overlooked component of noise damage is duration. Moderate decibel levels, sustained over long periods - a rehearsal, a performance, a tour - accumulate gradually. And by the time most people notice, the damage is already permanent. There is no surgical fix, no hearing aid that restores what's gone. Custom hearing protection isn't a luxury upgrade. It is the difference between career longevity or an early retirement.

The Leap to Custom IEMs

When a client makes the leap from standard foam plugs or traditional stage wedges to a dedicated pair of Custom IEMs, what is the most common piece of feedback you hear?

Gisele: Just a night-and-day feeling. The total confidence they feel when on stage, knowing exactly the mix they will be getting, is truly rewarding. Wearing custom monitors means they put less strain on their voice.

Kinga: Often, the response is that it is another world. They report that they can hear little intricate pieces of harmonics or rhythm where previously they were just obscured by the general music.

Jonathan: Clarity. Every time, without exception, clarity. Details they didn't know they were missing. Separation between instruments that previously blurred together under the pressure of a live mix. It's the audio equivalent of putting on a perfectly prescribed pair of glasses for the first time and realising the world has always had edges, you just couldn't see them.

As an audiologist, out of all the brands on the market, why do you trust and recommend Cosmic Ears?

Gisele: Cosmic Ears is just a super company to work with. I know that when I recommend clients, they won't be disappointed and will get looked after from start to finish. Their customer service is always so warm, supportive, and speedy!

Aside from the people, the products are pretty terrific too. Beautifully made and sounds incredible. This industry is small, and word of mouth counts for everything. Cosmic Ears continue to show up, keep on trend, and provide quality products that keep musicians talking. I feel incredibly proud to work with them.

Stephen: I guess most clients report that the quality of sound is just so much better with the Cosmic Ears kit. That's partly the product, but also the customised fit just delivers higher fidelity all told. Cosmic Ears combine high-quality impressions that create a hand-in-glove feel with the monitors, and they also don't overcomplicate the sound production with an excessive number of drivers.

Kinga: The care of the team at Cosmic Ears goes beyond just the great sound of Custom IEMs, regardless of the budget. With proper care, I can be sure they will last and sound great for many years. There is also great support after you have purchased your product, and as it is a UK-based company, even if something goes wrong, the service is great. It is the great sound, the product's robustness, and the team's care that make me confident in recommending them to clients.

Jonathan: I have a professional obligation to my patients that sits considerably above brand loyalty or commercial convenience, which is precisely why the recommendation for Cosmic comes so easily. I've seen first-hand the exceptional build quality, and met a team of people who are authentically obsessed with what they make. This is artisanal craftsmanship in the truest sense.

Designing the Dream Set

Finally, if you were sitting in the patient chair getting your own set of Cosmics made today, which model would you choose, and what custom faceplate designs would you go for?

Gisele: Definitely the C8A. Having demoed all the models and loving the original CE6P (C6A), I was blown away by the C8A. It's beautiful, sparkly and rich. It made me smile from ear to ear, so it must be good! For wild designs, I would go for a blue, swirly faceplate that looks like water and has a bit of sparkle, with a little image of a swimmer on one side and my initials in gold on the other.

Stephen: I'm a great believer in getting the best possible sound quality with whatever hearing devices I work with. So for me, the C8A is a no-brainer, and I like to keep the appearance simple: any colour as long as it's black!

Kinga: For many years now, my number one as a violinist is the C4A due to its true sound and natural balance. As for the design, who does not like a bit of sparkle? So, my favourites are the glitter kaleidoscopes.

Jonathan: Without a moment's hesitation, the C8A, eight balanced armature drivers for the win. The shells would be clear and transparent, obviously, because I am an audiologist and will absolutely check them for debris with the same professional vigilance I apply in our clinic. For the faceplates, I've given this considerable thought: a solid lobster on the right ear (at a glance, red for right). Glow in the dark on the left, because the world is dark, and I refuse to lose them. Both, naturally, with the Southwest Hearing logo embedded.

Check out our full range of audiologists.

Audiologist FAQs

Does the ear impression process hurt?

Not at all! As our experts mentioned, many clients describe it as a relaxing "ear spa." You will feel a cool sensation as the medical-grade silicone putty is gently syringed into your ear canal, and you might hear some slight popping or bubbling sounds as it cures. The whole process is completely painless and handled safely by certified professionals.

Do I need to clean my ears before my appointment?

Your ear canals should be nice and clear of any excessive wax to get an accurate impression. Many of our partner audiologists offer professional wax removal (microsuction) during the appointment, but it’s always worth asking about this when you book! Please avoid using cotton buds at home, as these can push wax further down the ear canal and make the process more difficult.

How long does an audiologist appointment typically take?

The impression process itself is incredibly quick - the material usually takes just 5-7 minutes to set in your ear. However, a standard appointment will generally take between 30 and 45 minutes from start to finish. This gives the audiologist time to thoroughly check your ear health, discuss your specific performing or listening needs, and ensure everything is just as it should be.

Why should I invest in Custom Hearing Protection over standard foam plugs?

Standard foam plugs often muffle sound, provide an unreliable seal, and only offer basic protection. Custom-fitted products offer precise noise isolation while maintaining audio clarity. As Jonathan points out in the feature, hearing damage accumulates gradually over long durations. A custom fit ensures you get consistent, safe protection while delivering the cleanest, brightest audio so you can hear every detail.

What happens after my impressions are taken?

Once your audiologist has successfully captured the perfect physical blueprint of your ear canals, the impressions are securely boxed up and sent directly to the Cosmic Ears lab, or sometimes scanned and sent to us as digital STL files. From there, we build your Cosmic Ears to your exact specifications and chosen designs! Our lead time is generally around 4-6 weeks, especially during our peak demand months from April to September (summer festival season and tours).

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