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How long do full hard shell acrylic molds last

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Hopefully, this year I’ll be buying new aids, so I’m wondering if I should keep my six-year-old acrylic molds to save money or replace them with new molds. Current molds fit fine and are doing the job, but something tells me that when you’re going to put out a lot of money for new aids, it’s probably best to also get new molds at the same time. Thoughts

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Edited

If a user is careful with them, c-shells last a long time. It’s usually the receiver wires or the receiver itself that break. It depends on the brand. Phonak has had problems with wire failure since the Marvels. They redesigned the receiver wire for the Indinio series to make it stronger.

I had to get new c-shells for wire failure twice in 2 years. One on the left side and one on the right. Then when I bought the Phoank Sphere i90’s, the 4.0 receivers no longer fit, so new c-shells again!

I get my current acrylic c-shells from Genesis, the audi that sold me my i90’s. Their price is $75 with free shipping. Costco charged me $50 with pickup only.

@Elderly said:

acrylic c-shells

Well, I’m strictly talking large full shell ear molds and not smaller c-shells. Cost used to be $200 or $300 for two. Hard acrylic taken from an ear mold you Audi handles. My question has nothing to do with wire or tubing. Should I keep old molds after six years of use and use them with new aids? Or toss and get new molds if I purchase new aids.

What @Elderly has stated is true, the receiver wire(especially Phonak and Signia) are prone to break over time as they are far too thin, on your question I think it’s a good idea to keep your moulds as backups with the old , get new ones made for your new models seems sensible move.

Are your current devices traditional hearing aids with tubing or devices with receiver wires? If they are traditional BTEs with tubing then the coupling should not be different. For RIC devices with receiver wires, if they are embedded molds, then you need to consider the plug that is used to connect to the hearing aid itself. Phonak, for example, has changed this a few times over the last few platforms. For me, if current earmolds are physically comfortable, then my only concerns are compatibility with the new hearing aids and feedback management.

Don’t forget your ear shape (cartilage, fat tissues) changes with age and the downward pressure of gravity. It would make sense to get new molds every 5-6 years, otherwise you could face increased feedback noises / general looseness in the fitting.

@Sulaco said:

It would make sense to get new molds every 5-6 years, otherwise you could face increased feedback noises / general looseness in the fitting.

Especially if this is for form factor, which probably comes with necessity for high gain which increases risk of feedback. In that case, accurate tighness is recommended.

However, you can try old earmold first and then verify if it let to achieve proper high frequency gain.

What’s diameter of vent in your present earmolds? Inserting your in profile settings could help provide you more accurate information.

Edited

Yes, there are silicone earmolds, good for high gain therefore when low feedback risk is necessary. Or titanium ones, especially for smaller ear canals or for patients with allergy for silicone or acryl.

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