Ear Shape! Does it make a difference?

[Les Adams]

I wasn't quite sure which heading to post this under, but I guess our ears are "audio"!

Does anyone know if there has been a study of how the shape of our outer ear affects the sound we perceive?

I am aware that if I push my ears forward with my fingers, I get a significant increase in high frequencies. Also, cupping both ears from behind makes a dramatic change in all areas we like to discuss, like soudstage, imaging and general tonal balance.

Given that we have different shape and size ears to each other, can and does this account to some degree for why we have different tastes in loudspeakers, or why we perhaps like a system that to others may sound bright (or dull).

If this is the case, then how can any of us tell if a system sounds "flat" because what sounds "flat" to one shape of ear may not to another?

Some people have ears that are almost flat to the side of their head while others stick out! Do these people with sticky-out ears hear more treble than "flat" eared people?

Does Prince Charles therefore perceive high frequencies louder than the rest of us !!!!!

Maybe if we want a brighter sound we can simply pin our ears forward - much cheaper than buying new kit! - Somebody could make a fortune manufacturing audiofile ear clamps with varying degrees of adjustment!!!

Yes, there is a funny side to this, but I ask it as a serious question.

Any ideas?