When it works its an OK app, but it was buggy to begin with, and with each new iOS upgrade gets progressively worse. Im on iOS 5.1 and can get Private Ear to work about 30% of the time now. Restarting the phone used to be a sure fix, but even that doesnt always work now. There doesnt seem to be much activity by the developer to keep the app functional. I would recommend not purchasing this app until the developer gets it to where it again reliably performs its basic functions.
Edit: No improvement in iOS 6.
Sparkgelark about Private Ear Recorder, v1.22