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Custom earmolds without retention locks

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Is there any of you here who has tried custom earmolds (acrylic or silicon) without retention locks? Do they come off easily? Do they require pushing them back in just not to fall out? Or do they sit in perfectly still?

Which do you think is better between acrylic and silicon earmolds when it comes to comfort?

I have mild to profound hearing loss and somehow domes does not work very well for me. I am in my 1st month with oticon intent 1 and been trying domes lately and my current are oticon vented gripTips. They would have been much better if only they do not turn flimsy in the long run. Sizing is an issue, too. My left ear canal is slightly smaller than my right. Small version of griptips sits perfectly on my left but the right ear is somwhere inbetween the small and large sizes. An imbalance feeling of occlusion.

Thus, I am looking forward to having a custom earmold very soon like a SlimTip or a lightTip (hollow) or solid if deemed necessary. This way they would fit perfectly inside. Goodbye to sound leakage. Expecting big improvements in my hearing, too.

I just need to know some inputs from you guys before my next appointment.

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Silicone mold has the advantage of giving a somewhat better seal, but is floppier than acrylic. Acrylic has the big advantage of being modifiable (grind a little off or add a little material) Both can do a good job. Do you have any issues with the GripTips backing out any? I’m a big fan of skeleton locks but I have ear canals that slant down so mold tends to slide out if not held in by something. What does your audiologist recommend?

Griptips were good. They never slipped out at all. My earwax does not accumulate that much in a day.

My Audi wanted me to try out the domes first. It was I who was reluctant to having a custom earmold at first primarily because of the skeletal locks. I have always wanted a discreet look.

I am not sure if there are any custom silicon moulds that are hollow. Even if there are any, I would not go that path. I think they would soften eventually like silicon griptips. You need to be replacing them once or twice a week. Not just that. They cost a hefty $ 20-30 a pair. Solid would be preferable for silicon molds.

Edited

Both silicone and acrylic molds tend to be solid (except for the vent) If you don’t need anything for retention they could be pretty discreet.

Edited

I had the Philips 9050 for a few months. Hated the power domes. Itched like crazy.
But LOVED the acrylic molds. Sweet.
They came with the retention wire.
That was a pain. I did NOT like or need them.
And probably would have snipped them off.
For some reason, my molds never come out.
Now, I have the Spheres, w Acrylic molds.
They have a tiny grab handle, but no retention, and non needed.

So being discreet could be a choice if our ear canal allows it. I think mine might be possible. Fairly leveled the way I see it.

I might go for the acrylic molds as silicon molds tend to change color overtime.

Thank you for the feedback guys.

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