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Profound hearing loss: Vented earmolds and feedback

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Hello,

I have a severe to profound loss. I have had unvented molds my entire life, but the occasional waxy residue, itchiness, drainage, smell, etc gets old. I do sterilize my molds and ears often, but it’s always short term. I use a mix of a dryer, alcohol wipes, alcohol in the ear or hydrogen peroxide, and a UV light disinfectant. Seems like every few months a moisture issue pops up and I have to address it.

I know in the past, the technology couldn’t deal with the level of amplification i need without feedback (unless you had sealed, occluded molds), but technology and feedback management is getting better every few years. Do you think with my loss, venting might be an option? I’d love to get some fresh air in my ears!

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In reply to @Zebras

Hi Zerbras, thanks!

I’ve typically worn extra long and “full” canal molds. I’m noticing the vent wraps around the concha, is this something specific to power aids or could I get a canal mold with just a straight vent? Also, what vent size would be a good starting point, I assume as small as they can make it?

-I just fear spending $200+ on R/L molds if they may not even work without toning down the amplification significantly… I know they make the adjustable vent size one, I’ve just been trained over the years that I need as tight of a sealed mold as I can get.

My left ear is slightly better then yours but as my loss is 100% conductive I require a lot more power then you do. I can get away with 1.2mm vent on my left. When WhistleBlock is reduced, I get a lot more feedback. When WhistleBlock is set to max, I don’t get feedback.

I used to have Widex RITC aids and vented earmolds. My hearing is very profound and often got feedback issues when aids is at maximum gain. It wasn’t powerful enough. I got the aids free from Vocational Rehabilitation to deal with my Tinnitus issues. It didn’t help mask my T.

I have molds with select-a-vent, which is a large vent with a selection of inserts, each with a different vent caliber. I’m using the tiniest vent insert now and it is comfortable, doesn’t seal, and I couldn’t make them feedback if I tried, and I have tried. See my hearing test results. Mine is actually a little worse now, haven’t updated my account here.

VN I have moulds with 0.6mm vents now. I had the same issue as you when wearing moulds with no vents. Since having moulds made privately with vents, I have had no issues so definitely recommend.

I have profound hearing loss in both ears. Both my earmolds are vented.
No problems with feed back.
Don’t know the size of the vents, but they appear to be quite small.

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