Types of Custom Earmolds

Did you know, most hearing clinics do more than just hearing aids! There are several types of earmolds with uses outside of hearing aid care. Custom earmolds are all made with the same technique, but the specifications of the final product allow for various purposes. Let’s check it out!

Earmolds

Hearing aid molds

The obvious one is for hearing aids. Based on a person’s hearing loss, custom earmolds can provide a better fit and sound quality. They can limit feedback (that annoying squealing sound) and for some people just make them more comfortable. Like anything custom, these can be made in a variety of styles based on client needs.

Noise protection

The orange foam earplugs from the hardware store do an okay job protecting your hearing. These are recommended for basic yard work and small amounts of noise exposure. Yet, customs can do so much more. In environments with extremely loud noise or long periods of loud noise, protecting your hearing is crucial as noise exposure (CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS) is the second leading cause of hearing loss.

Custom protection molds have a better fit and we can also account for a larger reduction in attenuation (noise dampening). Meaning you can have molds that cut almost all the sound or others that cut a lot of it, but the filter allows you to hear people talk. For anyone working in a factory, around big machinery, or in other noisy environments, these are the way to go.

Sleep plugs/Swim plugs

Very similar in style, the idea is to either keep sound or water out of your ear! Both are made of light, soft silicone material and completely fill the external ear. This gives you a complete, yet comfortable seal. These would be used for those who get chronic swimmers ear or maybe your husband/wife snores a little too loud.

Musicians plug

Similar to noise protection plugs, musicians’ plugs dampen excessive noise just to a lesser degree. The filters in these plugs cut sharp sounds while still allowing the musician or singer to hear everything they need to. I use these while singing; especially in rooms with lots of echoes to make the sound more comfortable.

Musicians in-ear-monitors

Some musicians will take custom earmolds one step further with custom-in-ear-monitors. You’ll see most of your mainstream, touring musicians wearing these. Molds like these allow the musician/singer to hear all of the instruments and cues directly in their ears instead of floor monitors. You can get general ones from most music stores like Long and McQuade. But with customs, they are typically more comfortable for longer wear time and less likely to fall out if the musician gets into the music if you know what I mean.

Interested?

Once you know what type of earmold you want or need, it’s a quick appointment to get you started. To take an impression of your ear, a special material is placed in your ear canal for several minutes. Once it’s hardened, it gives us an exact replica of your ear canal that the manufacturer uses to make the mold.

The various types of custom earmolds mean you have a lot of choices when it comes to what is best for your hearing health. Hearing is not just about when you have a loss, it’s about protecting the hearing you have and the general health of your ears. Custom earmolds can be a part of that overall care.

If you’d like to know more about the types of earmolds we provide or to schedule an appointment, call us at 705-749-0707.