Question

Consider in-ear earbuds. Look at them closely. If you look at the back side of each earbud there should be a small "L" or "R" for the left and right ear.
Take a photo of each earbud and put the photos into PowerPoint or some other program or app where you can draw on the photo. Indicate WHY each one is left vs right.

Why is it important that you put the earbuds in the correct ear? (This is true with a stethoscope, too.)

What happens if you put them in the opposite ear?

Would it matter if the user was deaf or hard of hearing in one ear? Why?

Answer 1

It is true for stereo sounds where sounds for left ear is different from right ear. Suppose you are watching some scene and a car passed from left side to the right side the stereo sound will enable us to hear the same from left to right ear and the scene will look perfect. Suppose the reverse scenario if you do not put the earbuds perfectly the sound will go from right to left while car is moving left to right.

There is no structural difference per se for left and right ear bud but the stero sound will send distinct to each ear for making the expierence real.

It is same for stethoscope where the two sides of it can hear high pitch and low pitch sounds.

If any person is deaf or hard hearing at one ear it is difficult to expierence the stereo sound as explained in the above example. Because there are two different soundwaves are going in different ears. Instead of that there are earbuds which provide mix of these sound waves in one ear so they can use these earbuds.