Automatic Ear Impression Classification

An illustrative method for checking a usability of an impression model of a human ear includes determining an estimated shape model of the human ear by adapting a statistical shape model to the impression model, wherein the statistical shape model has been determined from a plurality of impression models of a plurality of human ears and wherein the statistical shape model has at least one impression feature, which is mapped to an estimated impression feature of the estimated shape model; determining a feature classification from the estimated impression feature; and when the feature classification is within an allowed feature classification range, rating the impression model as usable.