Are some people just unable to wear custom molds?

@JBC

I trialed a pair of Phonak Marvels last year and the molds were the C Shells, which are a 3D printed mold.
It was acrylic, but fit like a glove.
I preferred the sound of Oticon, so went to the ON S MiniRite, and the 1st 2 pairs of molds had the same issue, the left would slip, and occlude.
They finally came up with the same design as the Phonak C Shells, and are great, so check if you’ve had C Shells, and I understand Phonak offers a Titanium mold that may help ( $$$).

@flashb1024 said:

the molds were the C Shells, which are a 3D printed mold.

Could you please post a picture. My search turned up a confusing range of possibilities.

This is a screen grab from Dr. Cliff’s you tube video:

The image on the right is the titanium cShell.

From phonak order form here is the images of custom molds offered for marvel/paradise

@SpudGunner said:

Thanks for the picture …

So, then, I guess that’s what I have? If so, I can concur with your assessment of their performance.

Oticon calls them “MicroShell”, just about the same.
if your receivers are sealed in the mold, that’s what you’ve got.

Here’s a link14

@flashb1024: Thanks for the link … mine seem to be called “Micro Shell”.

[My moulds are fitted with 100dB receivers, BTW.]

I have the power shell with canal lock,I am going to ask for a skeleton when I go to the clinic on the 13th of May

@MDB said:

Wow, even skeleton molds wouldn’t stay put? Or perhaps they were painful? Maybe some of us need velcro tabs sewn on our ears?

The skeleton molds stay put but the the left one was painful.

Jim

From what I know, when you change a sleeve or dome to another size or brand, the hearing program should be adjusted. I have been told it is one size does not fit all programs. The change can be simple or more complex, so I have been told.

My ear canals are small and I got custom molded and they were just physically too large. All of the cones they had on hand were also too big so the Audi fit me with tulips temporarily while they got re-made. The tulips worked fine and only needed a few minor adjustments to stop feedback. When the replacements came in. I didn’t like them at all. They didn’t feel good. The occlusion was annoying, and the port was so tiny that it wouldn’t let in the lower frequency room sounds that I could hear just fine without the HAs. I went back to the tulips and told her I didn’t want the custom molds. I told her I would have to get by with the tulips or I’d end up just not wearing them with the custom molds much at all. If my hearing was much worse, I might have had to adjust to the customs. I’m happy I didn’t have to and have worn the HAs 15+ hours a day for the last year and a half. I’ve had to learn to mitigate feedback by not covering my ears in certain environments where I have them turned up more, but that became a natural reflex after a while.
So, there are physical limits due to the size of the receiver and for ports that can function as intended.

Finally have a set of molds that work! It took five tries and two different manufacturers! I wound up with a set of silicone skeleton molds from Westone. (second pair they made ft or me) The new molds are comfortable and stay pit!

Jim

Congrats. I may consider skeleton molds next time. Even with substantial concha locks mine back out a bit.

Yeah they are very secure. Nice to know they are going to stay put, especially when cycling or climbing.

Jim

I have Paradise P90s. I have been told if your hearing is good at Low frequencies, molds would not be good to get. But Jim, looking at your audiogram, it is similar to mine. How are they working for you. Do the molds help with speech. I really like the P90s.