Reasonable aids

Tony, my newest aides I take off at night and put them on a charger. No batteries! The charge lasts the entire day. A big plus is I don’t have to worry about carrying batteries with me everywhere I go. I tried the custom molds with these but they were a lot larger than my molds my audiologist had made and not very comfy.

I would be interested to know if Costco or other 'big box' retailers that sell hearing aids, have the capability of creating good quality custom ear molds. I've used custom molds for decades, and each time I've had new ones made it has taken time to get used to them. My provider, which has changed over time, has had to take time to file them down in places where they were causing irritation in my ear.

Creating custom ear molds is somewhat similar to creating dental inlays. It requires taking an impression of the ear canal, and using that impression to cast and create a perfect fit. This requires a rather specific skill set. Many hearing aids prescribed for moderate to moderate/severe hearing loss do not require custom ear molds, but use flexible plastic domes that are removable and replaceable by the user. Those domes range in size but are not custom made.

costco ear molds: i have had inconsistent results,with some molds fitting well,and others toolarge, I think it may depend on the skill of the individual doing the impression

My husband has had 4 tries, with 2 different techs, and never got a comfortable mold, even with adjustments. I agree that it all boils down to skill - and probably the willingness to incrementally adjust the mold.
He finally gave up and won't wear his aids - much to the irritation of everyone around him!
Sue

@sueinmn

Hello,

Good fitting molds are more than half the battle with hearing aids. That is a shame your husband stopped wearing his aids. I find a lubricant like mineral oil can work wonders in making molds more comfortable. The key is to use just a drop and lubricate maybe just the tip….they will move around too much if you use a lot. Wasn’t sure if he had ever tried a lubricant…baby oil will do in a pinch. It’s worth experimenting with.

I also find that people with dry ears often have comfort issues. My ENT told me to use mineral in my canals on a fairly regular basis as I have dry ears. Makes a big difference in how things sound.

Even with the best fitting silicone molds, they tend to shrink over time. I have sent back molds numerous times because they weren’t big enough to fully fill my ear to prevent sound leakage. I also found out that my Audi sends the mold impressions to Phonak because I wear Phonaks. So I never know the skill of the person making them.

I am very specific with my instructions and often wonder if the people making these things realize how important a good fit is both for comfort and optimum hearing. The last mold I got was from an original impression just over a year ago. I needed a new one because I accidentally snipped off the tip when I was re tubing my aids. They were not the same when compared side by side…actually had a slightly different shape …subtle but it doesn’t fit as well as the snipped off mold. Both from the same impression!

I hear ya.

FL Mary

Was your experience with ear molds or removable ear domes? Both need to be fit correctly. Not just for performance; also for comfort.

ear molds

I have been unable to tolerate the little ear mold initially created for my truly terrible hearing in my right ear. I have behind the ear aids. This is genetic hearing loss so my hearing is very different in each ear. Eventually I had to reject the ear mold and resort to a unit with a dome, very different from the typical dome in my left ear. Its still not the best but the smallest solution that is feasible. Keep trying to find a solution that you can tolerate.

Custom ear molds can be created out of different materials. Some people have allergic reactions to them. Some ear molds are made of hard materials, others are soft and pliable. It takes a patient provider to experiment with this. I've always had to have new ear molds reconfigured, which has meant filing them down in the places where they irritate my ears. This is a very exact science and some providers don't have the skill it takes to do it right. Did your provider try a different mold for you?