New Ear Mold: Update

So I was yesterday, years old when I found out that I am allergic (or at least have a sensitivity to) ear molds with shiny coatings. I didn’t know this but suspected I might be before I had my audiologist change out my ear mold. Because this was the only change in 2020: going from a dry, cloudy ear mold to a shiny ear mold. I did not request that change.

Anyway, my mind is blown. So I got my new ear mold yesterday morning. It’s a dry, cloudy, matte finish. I’ve worn it more than 24 hours. And wore it all day yesterday without any ill effects. There is also a subtle, but marked improvement in the clarity of my hearing. It’s subtle but it’s there.

That can’t be said for my other ear mold with the shiny coating. Within hours I would start sweating, have unending itchiness, and overall irritation. And have to take a q-tip to my ear 8 times a day (minimum) to scratch the itch.

When I put on my new ear mold with a dry, cloudy matte coating (99.9% exactly like the ones I have worn my entire life), all of my symptoms went away. Almost within minutes, it seems like. I wore my new ear mold all day with no ill effects.

For the first time in three years. We’ll see how this decreases my visits. The other shiny ear mold caused an increase in ENT visits from once every 2-6 months to once a month.

6 people in this conversation3 min readJump to latest

hass5744

Other than shiny or cloudy earmold, knowing the material the molds are made of, might come in handy in the future.

codergeek2015Author

Hi hass5744 - aahhh yes. Regardless of shiny or cloudy, I’ve always used acrylic ear molds.

Oticonian/Disposablyte

@codergeek2015 said:

I’ve always used acrylic ear molds.

@codergeek2015 My knowledge of ear molds/mold materials is far from encyclopaedic, but I haven’t run across an acrylic mold with matte finish before. Are you certain that your new molds aren’t silicone?

jay_man2

Northern Virginia

https://www.westone.com/hearing_health_care/earpiece-materials-and-colors24

There are acrylic molds with matte finishes. This Westone article describes it.

codergeek2015Author

In reply to @SpudGunner

Yep. 100%. Only material I’ve ever used is acrylic.

Mar 4, 2023Edited

i always thought a Matt finish was when the bad guys got shot by Marshall Dillon at the end of a Gunsmoke episode.

Oticonian/Disposablyte

In reply to @codergeek2015

@codergeek2015: Oh, I am not doubting your word - I was just unaware that there was a matte acrylic option available until today. I’m going to ask my audiologist about it next visit.

Terost

Florida, USA

Mar 6, 2023

I don’t like the soft silicone full shell ear molds and my ears canal skin surface gets inflamed. Even when l cut off most of it so l have to order the Starkey acrylic full shell ear molds and they are the best. Your ear changes every year so it’s best to get a new pair of acrylic ear molds every year.

codergeek2015Author

Just a quick update: Today is day 5 of wearing my new ear mold all day every day and my right ear has never felt better. No inflammation. No itching. No sweating. I have very minor condensation on the inside of my ear mold’s tubing but that’s normal for me. Nothing like the issues I was having before.

I suspected but I had no idea all of my prior issues were being caused by a potential allergy or sensitivity to shiny ear molds.

There is also a marked improvement in the clarity of my hearing as well.

tough crowd. Ya see, Matt Dillon was the marshall in the old TV show Gunsmoke. So, ya see, a Matt finish would have Marshall Dillon finishing off the bad guys at the end. It’s funny…maybe. not.

Oticonian/Disposablyte

@jeffrey: It’s funny - hearing loss is enough of a bummer. I appreciate the odd chuckle. (And I do understand that it should be only occasional! No need for nasty excoriations!)

Merci, Mssr. Spudster. You are too kind.

Oticonian/Disposablyte

@jeffrey: De rien, M Geoffroi

codergeek2015Author

In reply to @jeffrey

My apologies, @jeffrey. I missed your comment earlier. That was pretty funny.