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Narrow ear canals, mold, power RIC receiver

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Edited

I’m finding out I have unusually narrow ear canals (?). I recently purchased Costco’s Phonak Brio . My is a slowly drifting down over the past 15 years, a flat across loss, unexplained by docs, in the 60’s, getting dangerously close to the 70’s. My very old Oticon Deltas had a very tiny-8-11mm clear micro mold, regular receiver, which were very comfortable and discreet. Now my audi and Phonak want to put me into a HUGE, Pink!!!(looks like someone melted a Barbie Doll down and waded the plastic blob into my ear) a “CShell” mold with a power receiver. Not to mention my ear is severely, uncomfortably occluded by this mold, too. The whole contraption sticks out beyond my ear tragus. Is this normal? Advice? Thank you.

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I appreciate your problem. The type of mold used can vary based on needs. I would talk to the audiologist about why that model was chosen and bring you old aids to show what worked well for you in the past.

They should be comfortable. Can you ask to try domes and see if that is more comfortable?

The manufacturer made my molds (Rexton, but I’m sure Phonak does it too). I have also had very deep fitting molds ordered (by Costco) from Westone, a well known maker of molds.

I have Costco KS6’s – had always used custom molds until my last visit when I needed a receiver replaced. Was offered double domes while my custom mold was sent out – this was the first time ever (in 20+ years of hearing aids) I’ve worn a non-custom mold. Super comfortable & really happy with them!!! Perhaps an option for you?
-kate.

Edited

Apparently Phonak’s power receiver is so wide and long, the manufacturer had to put extra plastic around the huge power receiver so it will stay in my outer ear cavity. Very uncomfortable. I’m too vain for this- the mold looks like a pink foam ear plug hanging out of my ear!. So I’m supposed to pick up what Phonak calls a hollow “Slim Tip” mold holding a regular-size receiver as a compromise. Does this mean that I will not hear base sounds very well? T/U.

In reply to @hilary

@hilary said:

Does this mean that I will not hear base sounds very well?

That may be somewhat the case but isn’t a great deal different. I have a profound loss and didn’t notice a difference between them. How much venting is used determines lows. Domes can go from open to closed.

In reply to @hilary

Westone made my last ones, for Resound aids. I don’t know if Costco is contracted to use Rexton but I’m not impressed with Rexton molds.

Westone is the big name in molds. I’m thinking about going somewhere else and have new impressions made, and order from Westone.

Rexton doesn’t want to make them fit deep enough and apparently they don’t have all the options Westone has.

OK, I found out that Costco’s Phonak’s molds are made in Illinois at the company’s shop. At least that is where my PNW (Washington State) orders were sent.

OK, I got the hollow Slim Tips. They hurt my ear canal and there is no way to sand them down. What do you suggest? I’m at my wit’s end…

In reply to @Neville

Neville, I wonder if that is the only solution. I just wish I could make my own from my old pretty comfortable, very tiny Oticon Delta’s (’s) molds. Any other ideas? And I’m sure there are other people out there with narrow, sensitive ear canals…

Yes, they do. I don’t know what they currently have but they do have access to hearing aids that are not listed on their website. I think someone here mentioned the Resound Enzo, and several years ago my dad got Rexton Bridge from Costco
(just as an example).

Yes, all of Costco’s except the K8 are available with a ear mold. You can trial them with your ear mold.

In reply to @hilary

You can. You can send Phonak those molds and say, “Make exactly like this” and they can take a 3D scan and build them as closely as possible. But it sounds like since you got those you’ve grown out of the standard power level, so you’d be making a sacrifice to stay there. Still, that might work for a while. But don’t fear the in the future. You may be able to get a power slim tube and a canal mold if you are still worried about discretion. But honestly, even a traditional full shell BTE mold looks nicer than a poorly fitting coustom tip, in my view.

Edited

OK, here’s the problem: I have narrow, very sensitive to pressure, ear canals AND limited space between the tragus and ear canal aperture- I presume this is called the ‘bowl’. I cannot wear a long, wide receiver. Even Phonaks regular/standard one is on the border of ‘throwing in the towel’ pain. My old Oticon Delta receivers were about 2-3mm shorter, and they still hung out of the very tiny 8mm molds- but at least they were very comfortable!

I’m sure Costco would LOVE to have me never come back, I have returned 2 other large, #312 ’s. The #10 Phonaks are what I have now. I just have small ears all-the-way-around. I cannot go to a private audi for many reasons. Advice?

Are you willing to consider ?

The receiver is in the aid so no receiver in the ear.
Thin tube version is less obvious.
Likely requires molds. Look at the options possible.

They are a bit more obvious. Hair style could help.
They are larger behind the ear to house the receiver. (Speaker)
They would cost the same as other none KS aids.

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