Things haven't been the same since the summer solstice, I've noticed the daylight declining as we approach Fall here in the Pacific North. Sneaky, Mother Nature, tease me with sunshine and warmth only to rob me when I become complacent. I suppose there's rain on the way too, hmmm? Typical.
While it lasted, sunny summer evenings allowed for longer adventures, eating a late meal at sunset and walk home in the warm evening air. Yet, night always comes. When darkness falls it would be nice to have a small, personal over ear LED light to guide your way back to your tent, or light your favourite book when in bed.

In this project, I'll show how to make a small, light-weight, personal LED light worn as an earpiece, and made from dollar-store components. These LED lobe lights will blow away the commercial variety, and cost around $6.00_(CAD) for the components.
These ear lights are and alternative to camping headlamps, which can be too overpowering for reading. And an alternative to portable reading lamps, which are usually too dim to be of much use outside of reading.

On a recent trip, I stumbled upon ear mounted LED's which were the inspiration for this instructable. The models had just one earpiece, one LED, and sold for the whopping price of $21.00_(CAD)...just for one!
Some research uncovers that prices range from $12-$20 each*.
Sold in units of one, all designs I've seen have just one LED, primarily designed for reading use.
Lame.
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These lights were constructed in under an hour, using dollar-store goodies, a soldering iron and a hot-glue gun.

This instructable is entered in the LED Contest

This instructable is also entered in the Gorilla Glue: Make It Stick Contest
^{Remember to vote for your favourites!}

Enough talk, let's LED this darkness!

Step 1: Tools + Materials

Tools are common enough to be found/borrowed easily.
Most of the materials were found at the dollar store, remainder are easily acquirable:

tools:

soldering iron
hot-glue gun
needle-nose pliers
Philips-head screwdriver
safety goggles

materials:

2x book lights_{($dollar store)}
over-ear headphones_{($dollar store)}
multi-LED flashlight _{($dollar store)}
50/50 tin/lead solder
flux

Step 2: Strip Components

For this project, we need a few components from our dollar store goodies.
After removing the parts you need, save the remainder for future projects.

ear phones:
remove the headphone wire at the base of the ear bud.

multi-LED flashlight:
completely disassemble.
remove LED housing and unsolder the LED's.

2x book lamps:
cut the wires near the body.
remove the LED.

Step 3: Plan the Layout

This design uses most of the book lamps' existing wiring and casing. As such, these LED's are wired in parallel.
The LED's from the flashlight were a 'bright white', where the ones that came with the book lamps are 'blue-white'. I placed the blueish LED's in the center of the array with two of the 'bright white' LED's from the multi-LED light on either side.

This array has 3 LED's for each ear, mounted over the edge of the book lamp body. Anode on the top side of the book lamp casing and the cathode underneath. A small dab of hot glue on the LED base, between the legs, stuck the LED's in place for soldering later.
Don't overdo it with glue, and leave the leads exposed. The LED assembly will be glued in place after soldering.

Step 4: Solder and Glue

After the LED's are positioned the anode leads were grouped together and soldered, ditto for the cathodes on the underside. Per the original book-lamp design, I kept the cathode wired to the switch then the the battery.
A reminder, these LED's are wired in parallel.

Check the soldering by testing the switch. If all lights function, encase in hot glue.
The glob of glue serves two purposes, to protect the wiring and to hold the LED's in place.
Gob away, leave the LED's exposed.

Step 5: Position Earpiece

Next, the earpiece is attached by gluing the outside surface of the earpiece to the underside of the light housing.

The angle of the lights is user defined, as face shape and use will define the azimuth:

The LED assembly can be positioned pointing inwards, to give a well lit area of interest close to the face. Suitable for reading and other close-quarters work.
Alternatively, the LED assembly can be positioned outwards to illuminate a wider field of view. Suitable for path walking and lighting up a room.

Regardless of the final LED position, your light will work well enough to provide adequate illumination values in most situations. And, is cheap enough to make a second set for specific uses if desired.

Step 6: Complete Other Ear (if Desired)

If you plan to make a light for each ear complete the same steps, being mindful that the LED location is slightly different for each ear.

With both sets done, it's time to hit the lights and see how they work.
Whoa, that's bright!

Step 7: Field Test

Time to test these lobe lights to the limits!
I have empirically approved these lights for the following uses:

Chilling near an unlit section of highway. Clear vision was given to see the adjoining pathway, and alerted drivers to my location.
Tucked in bed, nerding it up with some sci-fi.
Standing ominously in a garage.
Sitting in a dark field waiting for orders from the mother-ship.

These light-weight lights would also be ideal for evening hiking, unexpected blackouts, searching under your bed for those elusive rogue-Cheerios or venturing into the scary attic where you heard some chains rattling that one evening and are now unable to sleep without charms by your door.
Whatever your darkness phobia, these otology illumination devices are sure to cast a favourable light on your situation.
have fun!