Ear molds or domes for hearing aids?

[oldskir]

Hello, does anyone have any advice as to their experience with an ear mold for their hearing aids? Or having domes instead?

When I research on line I see that a dome can occasionally get stuck in the ear canal, and needs an audiologist to remove it. A bit scary? Ear molds are said to produce an effect called occlusion, meaning your ear feels plugged up and your own voice might sound funny. But I'm interested to hear some personal experiences if possible.

I wear glasses, and would also like to hear anyone's experience with regard to trying to use a behind the ear hearing aid with specs.

Thanks for any information.

[Happyrosie]

I know nothing about moulds but I do have experience with the sort of HA that has domes.

Firstly, I’ve been told that manufacturing of HA’s has changed in that the domes don’t come off any more. Whether that’s true or not, the person fitting them for you would tell you.

When I first got aids, I had to wear a wig too (as I had chemotherapy and lost my hair) along with specs and the aids. All went well!

Slightly trickier with a mask, you need to practice taking off a mask: top bit first one side, then top bit first the other side, then remove the mask from the bottom of one ear and then take off. Doesn’t take long to get used to it, you just try it a couple of times and realise it’s easier than you thought.

Hope this helps!

[1jay]

Hello

I was given a mould because, I was told, of my ear shape and my type of conduction hearing loss. The main problem for me was that with a mould there is a thick tube over the ear to the aid itself. Apart from being very noticeable, which didn’t bother me in itself, it made my ear very sore after some hours of wearing, especially with glasses, to the extent that I used to unhook it and leave it hanging, not recommended! Eventually I paid for an in-the-ear aid which I have been highly delighted with. I am only deaf on one side so needing only one aid kept the cost down luckily.

It’s a process of finding what you can make work for you I think. Wishing you the best of luck.

[oldskir in reply to 1jay]

Hi 1jay,I'd be interested to know which audiologists you bought the in the ear aid you are very happy with, and the model and manufacturer.

It is certainly an option I am considering.

Does the aid give you that plugged up feeling that people sometimes refer to (I think the technical term is occlusion), or is the aid well vented?

[1jay in reply to oldskir]

I decided to explore this option with The Hearoic Clinic which is a private unit based within the Epsom and St Helier NHS Audiology Department. I chose to go down this route as I thought the audiologists would be expert and would not be just trying to sell me something I didn’t need for the sake of it. I was right in this view and they were very helpful/non pushy in allowing me to reach my decision. A privately purchased aid is a not inconsiderable purchase in my view. (No experience of other private clinics, hopefully they are ethical too!) Luckily I only need one aid due to otosclerosis in my right ear. I settled on the Phonak Virto M-10 NW 0. I chose this for its type (needed to be an in the ear aid), size and level of clarity etc. It’s quite an ‘entry level’ aid, but I had always been happy with the NHS aid in terms of the hearing enhancement it gave me, it was just the over the ear tube that I really couldn’t get on with. Occlusion. I need my ear to be ‘plugged’ to prevent any feedback and I have never found the new aid to be uncomfortable in any way. I got used to it very quickly indeed and I really forget I am wearing it. It is quite small so you need to be fairly dexterous in getting it in (it fits the ear exactly) but there is a little handle to get it out. Cosmetically it is barely noticeable. I was never bothered about the look of the previous aid it was just that I found the thick tube made my ear very sore. I hope my reply helps you. Happy to answer anything else I haven’t covered if I can. Good luck!

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Oldskir

I can't claim to be an expert in hearing aids and assistive technologies, but I think that any questions that you do have about this specific area can be answered by the good people at the RNiD - rnid.org.uk/information-and...

[Hylda2]

I was advised if you still have some natural hearing that won’t block it up with a mould. Have pinged my hearing aid down the back of the car seat a couple of times. And use contact lens as glasses just became too much