{"id":511,"date":"2020-10-06T15:06:29","date_gmt":"2020-10-06T06:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/ustest\/should-you-get-molded-hearing-aids-the-pros-and-cons\/"},"modified":"2020-12-01T07:27:11","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T22:27:11","slug":"should-you-get-molded-hearing-aids-the-pros-and-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/ustest\/hearing-device\/should-you-get-molded-hearing-aids-the-pros-and-cons\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Get Molded Hearing Aids? The Pros and Cons"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No two ears are the same, so are mass-produced \u2018built for all\u2019 hearing aids really the best devices for our ears?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking into molded hearing aids you\u2019ve probably either had a recent hearing loss diagnosis and want to explore your treatment options, or you already have hearing aids and are thinking about an upgrade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article explains the pros and cons of molded hearing aids.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What_is_a_Molded_Hearing_Aid\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What is a Molded Hearing Aid?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_Are_the_Pros_of_Molded_Hearing_Aids\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> What Are the Pros of Molded Hearing Aids?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_Are_the_Cons_of_Molded_Hearing_Aids\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> What Are the Cons of Molded Hearing Aids?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Earmolds_for_Noise_Exposure\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Earmolds for Noise Exposure\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Alternative_Hearing_Aids_Without_Earmolds\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> Alternative Hearing Aids Without Earmolds<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"What_is_a_Molded_Hearing_Aid\"><b>What is a Molded Hearing Aid?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It comes as no surprise that a key part of your hearing aid fits inside your ear, but some people don\u2019t realize that this fitting has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthyhearing.com\/report\/7769-Introduction-to-earmolds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">two basic styles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: dome or earmold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve seen a hearing aid in a dome style, you\u2019ll have noticed that it looks like a small cone. They come in a few standard sizes so when you go for a hearing aid fitting you are simply given the size that fits best for your ear, even if this is not a snug fit. Generally, they do have large openings which are beneficial for the wearer as this allows for ventilation and natural sound to enter the ear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While dome styles are not customized to fit one person\u2019s unique ear shape, earmold styles do just this. Made of either silicone (a medical-grade elastomer) or plastic (and sometimes an acrylic called Lucite), these custom made fittings sit perfectly in your ear canal. This does not completely block off your ear canal, however, as they usually have tiny vents to let air through. This style of hearing aid can also be changed easily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that we mentioned dome styles come in a few standard sizes? Well, the earmold style can come in a few different sizes too, although this will depend on your degree and type of hearing loss as well as the anatomy of your ear and your personal preferences. You can have an earmold that is canal size (small), half-shell size (medium), or full-shell size (large).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, generally speaking, earmold hearing aids have a snugger fit than standard dome hearing aids, as they have been specially made to fit your ear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_Are_the_Pros_of_Molded_Hearing_Aids\"><b>What Are the Pros of Molded Hearing Aids?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So molded hearing aids mean a good, snug fit \u2014 but what are the benefits of this?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High-frequency hearing loss means that you have trouble hearing higher-pitched sounds, like the voices of women and children, the ring of a telephone, and birds tweeting. Lower-pitched sounds might not be a problem for you, and you\u2019ll be able to hear them just fine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although this is a common type of hearing loss, dome-style hearing aids (a common type of hearing aid) are best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. For those with more severe to profound hearing issues, earmolds are more suitable as they provide more amplification without feedback. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earmolds can provide you with excellent sound quality regardless of whether you have low or high-frequency hearing loss. These well-fitted hearing aids work by keeping amplified sound from traveling back outside the canal and creating a feedback loop. If this does happen the amplified sound gets out and is reamplified, causing an unpleasant high-pitched whistling sound in your ear. Molded hearing aids get around this and stop it from happening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is no wonder that earmold hearing aids are often the first choice treatment for people with hearing loss across the entire speech spectrum, and are often recommended for people with severe or profound hearing loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your ears are fragile and contain delicate internal structures. If you\u2019re opting for earmold hearing aids, you\u2019ll need to make sure that you get a qualified hearing healthcare professional to take the mold that will be used to make a hearing aid that fits the specific shape of your ear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This involves creating an impression of your outer ear and ear canal. It\u2019s not as simple as taking a straight mold, and must be done with care and expertise. Your device shouldn\u2019t end up so tight that it causes you discomfort or pain, but it should be snug enough to fit well in your ear and stop sound from leaking out and creating unwanted feedback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luckily, the process is painless and uses a soft molding compound \u2014 nothing too daunting!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_Are_the_Cons_of_Molded_Hearing_Aids\"><b>What Are the Cons of Molded Hearing Aids?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, hearing loss treatment should be determined on a case by case basis, and some people actually prefer the dome style hearing aid, reporting a greater level of comfort and less occlusion (ear congestion).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, there are some further \u2018cons\u2019 of molded hearing aids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your molded hearing aid might feel strange at first and take a while to get used to. However, people often find this to be the case with the first fitting of any hearing aid, so it\u2019s not an issue specific to molded hearing aids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people seem to think that earmolds are problem-free because they are a perfect mold of your ear. This isn\u2019t necessarily the case, as often they do need a bit of adjusting as your ear shape can change slightly over time. Your hearing aid will need to be checked from time to time to ensure it still fits correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With molded hearing aids you might find that your own voice sounds muffled like you have ear congestion. This is known as occlusion.\u00a0 It occurs when the ventilation is insufficient in the earmold, as it can block the air in your ear canal completely. Modifications to the ear mold can help this, as can hearing aid circuit changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might also feel like your own voice sounds too loud \u2014 also a sign that your earmold has a vent that is too small, and requires a larger one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This being said, an earmold vent that is too large or in the wrong place can lead to the whistling noise or acoustic feedback previously mentioned. If this happens your hearing health professional might need to install a canal lock to secure the earmold firmly in place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to acknowledge that your earmold can also cause a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hear-it.org\/Making-the-ear-mould-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build-up of cerumen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (earwax). This is normally a bigger problem if you have an earmold that is particularly tight. Cerumen build-up can damage your ear if it gets out of hand. It can also reduce sound transmission, making it difficult for you to hear and benefit from your hearing aid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although this shouldn\u2019t be an issue for the majority of users, you might be allergic to the material used to create your earmold and have an allergic reaction. Talk to your hearing health professional about your existing allergies as a hypoallergenic material can be used.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Earmolds_for_Noise_Exposure\"><b>Earmolds for Noise Exposure\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earmolds can be beneficial for non-hearing aid users for the same reason that they normally do a good job of preventing occlusion in hearing aids. If you use custom earmolds for sound protection, they should give you a greater level of protection. A snug fit means that sound has a harder time entering your ear<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can even get ones with an acoustical chamber that blocks most noise while still allowing you to understand speech. These are often used by sportspeople, musicians, and others operating in a noisy work environment. If you think they could benefit you, they\u2019re definitely something to look into.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Alternative_Hearing_Aids_Without_Earmolds\"><b>Alternative Hearing Aids Without Earmolds<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend doing some research on all the different types of hearing aids out there before making a purchase. Check out Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE), In-the-Ear (ITE), In-the-Canal (ITC) and Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC), CROS and BiCROS, and body-worn hearing aids. Here is a brief overview of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/healthy-body\/hearing-aids\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">different types of hearing aid.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about the different types of hearing aids, see our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/blogs\/the-olive-branch\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other blog articles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b>The information in this guide has been written using the following reliable sources:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthyhearing.com\/report\/7769-Introduction-to-earmolds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.healthyhearing.com\/report\/7769-Introduction-to-earmolds<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hear-it.org\/Making-the-ear-mould-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.hear-it.org\/Making-the-ear-mould-1<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cowestaudiologists.com\/blog\/how-do-earmolds-help-hearing-aids\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/cowestaudiologists.com\/blog\/how-do-earmolds-help-hearing-aids<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/healthy-body\/hearing-aids\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/healthy-body\/hearing-aids\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No two ears are the same, so are mass-produced \u2018built for all\u2019 hearing aids really the best devices for our ears? Find out more about whether molded hearing aids could be right for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/ustest\/hearing-device\/should-you-get-molded-hearing-aids-the-pros-and-cons\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Should You Get Molded Hearing Aids? 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