Ear molds are part of the hearing aid ecosystem that are designed to fit in the ear canal. Have you already used ear molds?
If not, we’re here to introduce to you these small ear pieces that play a small, yet significant role in hearing health.
Ear Molds 101
Not all hearing aids can fully fit inside the ear. Some models have a small part that goes inside the ear while the rest of the body hangs outside or behind the ear. The small part that goes inside the ears is available in two styles – dome style or ear mold style. Dome style are named so because they look like small cones. This style cannot be customized to fit the unique shape of the human ear. Dome styles are stocked in standard sizes, which means that the best size that fits the ear canal will be given. Meanwhile, custom ear molds are specially designed to sit comfortably in the ear canal. Will it be stuffy inside? No. There are small vents that will allow air to pass through. If you want a customized hearing tool that offers the finest comfort, we highly recommend ear molds.
Ear Mold Material
If you’re already set on getting ear molds, you’re going to have to choose the material for your ear mold. So what’s the difference?
ACRYLIC OR LUCITE
Pros:
• most durable
• won’t shrink, breakdown or harden over time
• very easy to insert or remove
Cons:
• not recommended for infants or very young children
• not flexible
• prone to acoustic leakage
VINYL EAR MOLDS
Pros:
• flexible highly recommended for small ears
• better acoustic seal
Cons:
• not available in many colors
• may discolor or shrink over time
• not recommended for patients with allergies
POLYETHYLENE EAR MOLDS
Pros:
• last resort for allergy cases
Cons:
• not cosmetically appealing
• difficult to modify
SILICONE EAR MOLDS
Pros:
• more color options
• flexible, comfortable
• ideal material for allergy cases
Cons:
• harder to put into ears
• may stick to skin
• difficult to modify
Sizes of Ear Molds
Small – canal size
Medium – half-shell size
Large – full-shell size
Our audiologists can help you choose the type of ear molds based on the shape of your ears, type of hearing aid you are using (if to be used with hearing aids) and personal preferences.
Questions about Ear Molds
What is an earmold made of?
Ear molds are commonly made of vinyl or silicone and are custom-made for the ears.
Kids who need to wear ear molds are given the softer version, usually made of silicone. Most kids live a very active lifestyle and tend to jump around a lot, so the ears are more prone to be bumped and jostled. An ear mold made of soft material is more kid-friendly.
Why do earmolds have different shapes and sizes?
At a glance, ear molds look like a plug. And they also may FEEL like a plug. They come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate the unique shapes and sizes of the human ear.
For kids, custom-made, full shell ear molds are recommended. Some children can be fussy or scared when they see an ordinary set of ear molds. To solve that concern, we offer colorful ear molds to make it look attractive to children and make them excited to wear it.
How does an earmold work?
When used with hearing aids, ear molds seal the ear canal, preventing external noise from contaminating the sound that needs to be channeled to the hearing aids.
When used for hearing protection, ear molds fend off damaging noise at high decibel quantities. Soft ear molds are made of vinyl or silicone; hard ear molds are made of acrylic or lucite.
What's the best ear mold for me?
In choosing the best type of ear molds for you, you need to consider the following factors:
• anatomy of your ears
• degree and type of hearing loss
To ensure that you get the best ear molds, consult with an audiologist. Hearing Health Center in Osseo, MN offers ear mold services and more.
Why use ear molds for hearing loss?
Patients with high-frequency hearing loss have a problem hearing high-pitched sounds, such as the voices of children or women. With high frequency hearing loss, a dome-style of hearing aid is deemed appropriate. Meanwhile, people who struggle hearing at low frequencies or across all frequencies, hearing aids with ear molds are recommended. This combination delivers better sound and offers a snug and comfortable fit in the ear canal.
Because of its snug fit in the ear canal, the chances of creating a feedback loop is reduced or eliminated. A feedback loop is the high-pitched whistling audio that causes amplified sound to leak out.
If you have severe to profound hearing loss, you will surely appreciate ear molds. For hearing loss across the whole speech spectrum, ear molds work.
Individuals who have been wearing hearing aids for a while can easily adjust to ear molds. However, first-time users of hearing aids may prefer dome styles because they are easier to be changed and have less occlusion.
If you are not really sure on what type of ear molds to use, see an audiologist or go to a hearing clinic. Hearing Health Clinic will gladly present the pros and cons of each style so that you can fully enjoy better hearing.
