Ear Molds and Hearing Loss

Earmolds are made of either plastic or silicone and custom-fit so that they sit snugly within the ear canal.

Ear molds are one potential option for those experiencing hearing troubles at high frequencies or low ranges of sound frequency.  With so many shapes and sizes, it can be hard to find a hearing aid that fits comfortably. Custom-fit earmolds are designed to fit the unique shape of ears for comfort and clear sound quality.  

All About Ear Molds

What are ear molds used for?

Ear molds can conduct sound from a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid into your ears.  The crown of the ear molds also helps prevent feedback whistling by preventing any sounds that leave it from entering again.

Earmolds are made of either plastic or silicone and custom-fit so that they sit snugly within the ear canal. They generally have small vents in them to let air through, which prevents a vacuum from forming inside your ears when it’s not being worn.

Domes are affordable and easy to use products. They will fit most people’s ears without any customization required, making them the perfect choice for those looking to purchase an inexpensive product that works well.

There are ear molds manufactured specifically for a child who needs to be fitted with one, most of them are made with vibrant colors to look more attractive.

Ear Molds for Hearing Loss

Ear molds are one potential option for those experiencing hearing troubles at high frequencies or low ranges of sound frequency.  Earmolds and domes are two popular styles of hearing aids that work best for different types of users.

Types of Ear Molds

Most ear molds are made of the following materials:

  • hard acrylic (Lucite) and hard ultra-violet (UV) resins,
  • soft acrylic and soft UV resins,
  • medical-grade silicone,
  • polyvinyl chloride (also known as vinyl or PVC)
  • polyethylene

Some individuals need to test their compatibility with a certain ear mold material to avoid getting an allergic reaction.

What size of earmold should you buy?

Hearing aid domes generally come in sizes of small, medium and large.  Earmolds are custom fit to you.  The audiology office will take impressions of your ears and molds will be specially manufactured to fit the size and shape of each ear.

However, it’s not just about how big your ears are; the degree of hearing loss also needs to be considered in order to decide which type of mold will work best.  Hearing specialists or audiologists can help in choosing the best ear molds for your hearing loss.

Taking Care of Ear Molds

The ear mold is an essential component of a hearing device. A clean earmold will ensure that you get the best possible sound quality from your ears. Be sure to keep it clean every night before bed. Schedule an appointment with your audiologist if anything seems off or out of place inside the tubing–or in any openings on top where debris can plug up channels leading into our eardrums.

Getting a Good Fit

You might be surprised by how many shapes and sizes of hearing aids and ear molds are available.

You can’t just eenie-meenie-minie-moe your way into choosing the best ear molds for you: Professional help is necessary when it comes to choosing ear molds because the fit can significantly make or break your hearing experience.

If you have sensitive or ticklish ears and are kind of worried about the ear mold process, most people report minimal discomfort and zero pain during the process.

A soft compound will be used to make an impression of the ear canal. It might be slightly uncomfortable for some patients but in general, the process is similar to getting dental impressions done.

If you’re looking for a trusted audiologist who can help you with your hearing aids in Peabody or Swampscott Massachusetts, call to schedule an appointment at Atlantic Hearing Care.

Common ear mold issues

  • Muffled voices – You might be experiencing muffled voices due to your earmold.The occlusion effect in the earmold can typically be managed by hearing aid circuit changes or modifications.
  • Own voice is too loud – If you’re having trouble hearing your own voice, it may be because of the sound volume. Hearing aids amplify any sounds that are near them and as a result can cause over-amplification for those around you if they’re too close or in an enclosed space like on public transportation where there’s no room to escape from what seems loud.
  • Own voice is too quiet – Some people find it difficult to hear their own voices after using a hearing aid. This could mean that something could be wrong with earmold vent sizes or fitting. If this happens, contact your audiologist right away.
  • Feedback or Whistling – Sound can leak through the ear mold and cause a high-pitched whine, but with a little help from a hearing healthcare professional, this issue can easily be amended.

Ear Molds Massachusetts

Atlantic Hearing Care has a team of audiologists who are happy to help you with any hearing needs. We want you to enjoy life without missing out on what’s happening around you – we’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure our products will meet your needs and budget. 

We will check the quality of your earmold on a regular basis, ensuring that it still fits correctly so you can enjoy maximum hearing enjoyment.

You can schedule with our audiologists in Peabody and Swampscott, MA.

Atlantic Hearing Care provides comprehensive preventative, diagnostic and rehabilitation hearing services for our patients. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.