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Switching from an Ear Mold with a Shiny Finish to Matte Finish

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So this week I am - finally - switching from an acrylic ear mold with a wet-ish shiny finish (it’s not physically “wet” but I suspect my problems are being caused because the shiny finish is wet-ish in appearance and tricks my ear into feeling like it needs to be wet and produce more sweat/whatever) to an acrylic ear mold with a more dry matte finish matching my prior standard dry, cloudy ear mold before 2020. Because of the issues I have been experiencing with increased itchiness, sweat, wax, and other issues stemming from hearing aid use (which have never happened to me before getting a shiny finish ear mold - really, that has been the only change aside from a wireless unit since I’ve worn my hearing aid since age 3), the switch is happening. Finally.

Here’s why:

For those who don’t know, one aid (the wireless CROS unit) has an ear dome as a hook for my left ear, and the right one (a Phonak NAIDA B90) has a standard acrylic ear mold for my right.

Around 2020 is when my ear mold was switched to a shiny finish without any input from me (so, not my choice). I have always had a dry/cloudy ear mold previously. After that switch, I’ve had increased issues with cerumen, general itchiness, and other issues. I haven’t changed how long I wear my hearing aid. I haven’t changed how I wear my hearing aid. From the time I get up in the morning to the time I go to bed, unless it’s in an obviously wet environment that can damage my hearing aid(s), I wear them. I’m pretty committed and stable with my hearing aid use, because I need my hearing aids to live.

Instead of going to my once every 6 months for an ear cleaning, I’m going every month (or every three weeks in some cases, depending on how many times per day (on average, 8 times a day) I have to take a Q-tip to my ear to deal with satisfying the itch).

Has anyone else switched to a different ear mold finish before and can they provide experiences regarding this? Has doing this solved any possible allergic reactions to the shiny finish?

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I usually wear a shiny finish custom / with vent-when I used a ric with plastic dome & unvented I suddenly started getting wax & had a wet feeling in my ear. Once I went back to the normal it all settled down again.

Interesting, tinkyp. Thank you for confirming something similar!! Okay. Hopefully, this switch to the dry matte finish will result in the same thing. Otherwise, I will try again.

Thanks again!

Don’t get me wrong but your theory implies that your ear has a brain of its own. Like I don’t have enough problems already.

I wear clear acrylic ear molds, I don’t believe I would wear anything different

I just switched from domes to silicon custom molds in the hopes that this change will help with my excessive ear moisture and word recognition.
With the domes I would put my finger next to the dome and the volume would increase. That observation along with the excessive moisture in my ear canals drove me to tell my reluctant Audi that I want custom ear molds.
She recommended silicon molds made by Starkey.
I see my every three months to vacuum out my canals.
My Audi switched my domes with the molds three days ago, then redid the adjustment. My word recognition and volume increase has been amazing.
Now I just hope the ear drainage issue gets better.
Based on another post I also purchased Ear Itch MD( Amazon) in the hopes that this product will help.
After three days I am very happy and am hoping that the ear drainage will also reduce.

In reply to @cvkemp

I think I may be the opposite. I’ve only worn cloudy/dry acrylic ear molds. And may not be able to tolerate the shiny clear ones. We shall see what happens. The matte finish is as close as I can get, in that regard, without going back to the ones without any finish (which have a tendency to be more bacteria/infection-prone).

In reply to @lbr0el0fs

I have terrible issues with wax. I used to go to my audi once every two weeks for cleaning, despite constant changing of . then I bought a Jodi-vac home cleaning device. Brilliant piece of kit, as the Irish might say. I no longer go for cleanings. Ever. I brought in the Jodi-vac to my audi for a tutorial and he was highly impressed. Me too!

That sounds like the issue that suddenly plagued me. I became allergic to my earmolds. It took many months of trying different molds and different solutions before finding one that works - I put a steroid oil on my molds before putting them into my ears. I can’t go a day without it…

Oh no!!! I’m sorry that happened to you. Did your doctor ever figure out what caused that to happen? The only thing I can pinpoint is the switch to a clear acrylic ear mold for me.

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