Will You Need a Hearing Aid Earmold?

Have you been having trouble hearing of late? Have you noticed that you have to turn up the volume up on the radio or the TV, or are you finding it challenging to follow conversations? If so, you may be thinking about the possibility of seeing a hearing care professional. In many cases, the best course of action for hearing loss is to wear hearing aids. There are various types of hearing aids, some of which feature an earmold. If you’re not familiar with earmolds, here is some information you might find useful.

Introducing earmolds

Earmolds are component parts of hearing aids that sit behind the ear. Behind the ear, or BTE hearing aids, are a versatile type of hearing aid, which suits the majority of people with hearing loss. The earmold is designed to fit inside the well of the ear, which is also known as the conch. When you see a hearing care provider and they go through the results of hearing assessments with you, you might find that you’re advised to consider hearing aids. Hearing aids improve hearing by amplifying sound. If you choose to have a BTE hearing aid, your hearing specialist will create an impression of your ear, which will be used to create your bespoke earmolds.

Will I need a hearing aid earmold?

The answer to this question depends on which type of hearing aid you choose. There are different styles available, including behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), invisible in the canal (IIC) and completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids. Earmolds are a feature of BTE hearing aids. When you have an appointment with a hearing health professional, they will be able to run through the options with you and make recommendations based on the level of hearing loss, and your personal preferences. Some people, for example, are keen to choose the most discreet option. If you choose to have a BTE hearing aid, your hearing care provider will talk to you about earmolds and set about creating an impression of your ears ready for your customized earmolds to be fabricated and fitted.

Types of earmold

If you do require earmolds, there are different types available. You can choose from conch and canal earmolds. Conch earmolds fit inside the bowl of the ear, while canal molds are tucked away inside the ear canal. There are different kinds of conch earmold, known as full-shell, half-shell and skeleton earmolds. Full shell earmolds fill the conch, while half-shell molds are smaller and more discreet. Skeleton molds have an opening in the middle. Canal earmolds are less noticeable than conch earmolds, but they are not suitable for everyone.

If you’re thinking about which type of hearing aid to choose, you might be interested in finding out more about earmolds. Earmolds are designed for the individual and they are customized for a perfect fit. Behind the ear hearing aids are common, but they’re not the only option and not everyone who has a hearing aid will need an earmold. If you have any questions about earmolds, or you’d like tailored advice, don’t hesitate to talk to a hearing health professional.