# EAR on Android

The EAR app allows users to create acoustic logs of their days by recording ambient sounds around them.

WARNING

Starting with Android 13 and later versions, the EAR app requires additional permissions. As a result, it must be uninstalled and reinstalled, provided there is no ongoing study.

The Android EAR app allows users to create acoustic logs of their days by unobtrusively recording ambient sounds around them.

The Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) is primarily intended to be a scientific methodology for the naturalistic observation of social behavior and as such is being used in a range of research projects.

At the same time, though, it can be fun for personal use. You can obtain an acoustic record of a day in your life and, by listening to the recordings, get feedback on how you come across with others (i.e. hear you how others around you hear you).

In essence, the EAR app allows you to objectively document your lived day sound bite by sound bite.

Permissions Notice: Ear uses an accessibility service on Android 10 or higher to guarantee on-going audio recordings.

# Screenshots

# What's new

Added new UI system
Added support for newer Android Versions
Added new storage options
Added in app updates
Changed to accessibility service as main recording service
Changed to non blocking execution of debug log creation
Changed to non blocking execution of voice sample encryption
Renewed app foundation
Fixed problems with exact recording mode
Removed location and sensor features

# How to Install

Please use the manual installation guide to install the EAR on Android app.

# Support

For questions around the EAR method, please contact Matthias Mehl at mehl@arizona.edu.

# Literature

Mehl, M. R., Pennebaker, J. W., Crow, D. M., Dabbs, J., & Price, J. H. (2001). The Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR): A device for sampling naturalistic daily activities and conversations. Behavior research methods, instruments, & computers, 33(4), 517-523. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195410 (opens new window)
Mehl, M. R. (2017). The electronically activated recorder (EAR) a method for the naturalistic observation of daily social behavior. Current directions in psychological science, 26(2), 184-190. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721416680611 (opens new window)