It is important to consider how researchers will ensure infection control between participants when using earbuds to deliver sound to participants. Currently, in my lab we use circumaural headphones that are wiped down with sanitizing wipes. For earbuds, it will be necessary to have a plentiful supply of disposable eartips in each size. More than likely, reusable tips will be used, so another option is to disinfect the eartips as we do in the audiology clinic with the tips that are used for obtaining tympanograms and otoacoustic emissions. For objects that come in contact with the ear canal, high-level disinfectant chemicals like Glutaraldehyde or Hydrogen Peroxide (7.5%) are recommended.
