Connect
← Return to Hello! Hoping to Share UPDATES in data on Hearing Loss
Discussion
Hello! Hoping to Share UPDATES in data on Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Feb 15, 2022 | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
I would add 1 comment. in addition to hearing devices, the hearing aid mold may have significant influence on receptivity. I notice that I often hear better with headphones. and a few wired inserts into the ear channel sound better than my hearing aids. I read on web that the design of the mold makes a difference. the degree of insertion into the canal might be a factor? my audi does not seem to have any concerns.i wonder if this area need more focus?
Replies to "I would add 1 comment. in addition to hearing devices, the hearing aid mold may have..."
It takes skill to properly fit a hearing aid. There are a variety of settings and programs. The fitter has to figure out what works best for you. And, you have to be able to tell them what is working and what isn't. Most likely you have trouble understanding speech when there is background noise in the environment. While it's impossible to block all that noise out, settings can make a very positive difference.
The piece that fits in the ear is either a mold or a dome. As mentioned before, the mold is more difficult to fit, but is usually a better option for someone with severe hearing loss. Ear canals are all different, so a custom fit mold requires casting and then it often needs some adjustments after it has been cast and fit to the hearing aid. They can be filed down a bit if they are too tight. Again, that takes skill by the person who does that. Not all providers are alike. It's important to have confidence in your provider.
If you have the opportunity to talk to other people in your community who use hearing aids, do so. They will tell you about their experiences with providers and products.
Music tends to sound much better if ear mold vent holes are blocked. Ear molds have vent holes in different diameters and some are un-vented all depending on the patient needs. Blocking the vent holes contains the low frequency sounds from escaping. So the music will sound "tinny" with the lack of the low frequency bass notes.
Connect
So many hearing aids now are fit with domes rather than ear molds. I have regular cast earmolds. I tried domes last time around and learned quickly that they were not for me. Creating ear molds is an exact science of sorts. It is very similar to casting a dental inlay. It must fit exactly or it will not work well. When poorly cast, it might hurt. Or it might cause feedback and a whistling noise. It takes skill and training to cast a proper ear mold. I suspect that in the current world, those domes are often used when ear molds would be better. Domes come in a variety of sizes but are not cast. Sometimes we simplify and degrade. To clarify, the domes work well for some people, but if one's hearing loss is severe to profound, the cast mold will likely be the better choice.