What Are Earmolds, and How Do They Work?

When you visit a hearing instrument specialist (HIS) for a consultation, they might suggest a hearing aid for you to improve your quality of life. These days, hearing aids are available in many different types, and some of them are more discreet than others; however, most of them require earmolds. In this article, we explore what an earmold is and how it helps to improve hearing. 

What are Earmolds?

When it comes to a fitted hearing aid, there are different types to choose from; for instance, you might choose an in-the-ear (ITE), behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid. Earmolds are made by a HIS by clearing out the ear canal and making a wax model of the shape for later use. 

Types of Earmolds 

Typically, earmolds come in four varieties there is full shell earmolds, half-shell earmolds, skeleton earmolds and canal earmolds. Each of these styles has its advantages and might be preferred by some users. For severe hearing loss, full shell or half shell devices are recommended, but mild hearing loss can be improved with skeleton and canal earmolds.

Full Shell Earmolds 

Full shell earmolds take a caste of the entire ear conch and create a hearing aid with a solid fit. These hearing aids are suitable for active people or people with an unusual shape of the ear canal. The last thing you need is for your hearing aid to slip during everyday usage, and a full shell earmold gives you an excellent seal. These molds are for mild-to-severe hearing loss.

Half Shell Earmolds 

If you have mild-to-severe hearing loss, but you don’t want your hearing device to be visible, you might prefer a half-shell earmold. As with the full shell models, half shell earmolds are made by taking an accurate caste of the inner ear – but these molds are half the size giving you the same firmness without the visibility. Molds can also be made for skin tones and other colors.

Skeleton Earmolds 

If you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, you might prefer a skeleton earmold. As the name suggests, this type of earmold makes a caste of the skeleton of the ear canal, which has several advantages. Firstly, a skeleton earmold is less invasive; it does not fill the entire ear canal, offering less visibility and better ventilation. Skeleton earmolds are discreet and very popular.

Canal Earmolds

Canal earmolds are suitable for people with a long ear canal, these earmolds are made from an impression of the ear canal for better comfort and less visibility. While this type of earmold isn’t suitable for everyone, it does provide an excellent fit for those that qualify. A canal earmold is vented and tubed in the same way as full shell earmolds, making them comfortable.

Fitting Earmolds 

It’s important that your earmold fits well so that it’s comfortable in your life and it doesn’t fall out and become damaged. The good news is that earmolds are specially designed to fit individual ears, and a hearing instrument specialist can give you guidance on how to put them on correctly. Generally, you align the curved part with the back of your ear and place the mold in the canal.

Earmold Issues 

Earmolds exist to support your hearing, but that doesn’t mean they are not without their issues. Ears can move during exercise and everyday life; they can also change shape as you age. Additionally, an earmold might dampen the sound of your own voice if you have a cold or the device is misaligned. Talk to your hearing instrument specialist about any earmold issues you encounter.

Earmold Care 

The earmold is a crucial part of your hearing apparatus, and you can’t simply use it without proper maintenance and attention. Take your earmold out each night and check it for earwax and debris. If you find any wax in the tubes of your hearing device, clean it using the instructions. Remember, an earmold is a delicate device that can be damaged easily, so handle it carefully. 

Whether your hearing issue is mild, moderate or severe, your hearing instrument specialist might issue a hearing device to improve your life quality. If the device you receive is a BTE one, chances are it will have an earmold. Earmolds are an important feature of a BTE device and tend to be an exact copy of your ear canal. An earmold is responsible for channeling amplified sound from the hearing device to the inner ear. It also helps to reduce background noise for better hearing. 

To learn more about Hearing Well Matters and what we can do for you, call us today (647) 247-2704.