Earmolds for hearing aids

Most earmolds are made out of acrylic or silicone. Earmolds for hearing aids can also be made out of vinyl or plastic. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Materials like silicone and vinyl are durable but more expensive. Foam is comfortable and easy to keep clean, but it may be more prone to damage. Foam can be used for an emergency, such as when a patient loses an earmold. Foam is not used in a standard fitting.

When it comes to custom earmolds, there are many benefits. Custom earmolds for hearing aids can provide:

• Better sound quality
• Greater sound amplification
• A more comfortable fit 

One common feature that people consider with hearing aids is earmolds vs. domes. While earmolds are molded to the shape of your ear, domes are small silicone pieces that flex to fit different ear sizes and shapes, but are not customized to your ears. Domes are often vented, which allows more ambient sound to enter your ears, helping provide a more natural listening experience.

However, the more severe your hearing loss, the more you need the ear canal to be tightly sealed for effective amplification. Because of this, domes are generally more beneficial for milder forms of hearing loss, such as high-frequency hearing loss, while earmolds can be effective for a wider range of hearing problems.

When choosing earmolds for hearing aids, there are many factors to consider. Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:

• What style will be compatible with your hearing needs?
• How does the hearing aid earmold feel in your ear?
• What kind of material do you want?
  

Consider what feels best and what will hold up to your lifestyle. Your hearing care professional may also have some recommendations for your specific hearing needs, but ultimately, the choice is up to you and what feels best in your ears.

On occasion, you may have to do some earmold troubleshooting. Here are a few common issues you could experience:

• Your hearing aids aren’t producing any sound. If this is happening, make sure your hearing aids are turned on and have working or charged batteries. Check to be sure that there isn’t any debris in the device. Try adjusting the volume and settings. If this doesn’t help, you may need to inspect your hearing aids to see if they are broken or damaged.
• Your own voice sounds too quiet or too loud. If your voice sounds muffled, this may need to be fixed with earmold modifications or circuit changes in your hearing aid. If your voice is too loud, your earmolds may need a larger vent.
• You’re experiencing feedback or whistling sounds. This may be the result of your hearing aids not sitting properly in your ears. First, try removing them and re-inserting them. If you have a BTE hearing aid, check the tubing to be sure it’s still intact and doesn’t have any cracks. You may also want to try turning the volume down to see if this helps.

If you’re unable to fix the problem yourself, make an appointment with your hearing care professional and have them help you.

Cleaning hearing aid earmolds is an important part of maintaining them. Each night before bed, take out your hearing aids and check the earmolds for earwax or debris. Be sure to clean them regularly and according to the instructions given by your hearing specialist. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures and keep them in a dry spot when you’re not wearing them.

Hearing aid earmold lubricant can also be used to help your earmolds fit into your ears more comfortably. Be sure to talk with your hearing specialist about what products will work best with your earmolds.