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Custom 3D printed hearing aid parts

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Is their anyone here who likes 3D printing? I have been thinking about how cool it would be too be able to make the outside housing or hearing aids through 3D printing, being able to make different color combos or perhaps be able to make retention solutions such as is avalible for Cochlear Implants. If anyone would have any knowlage, tips, or creativity about this id love to hear it!

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Mermaid88, this has been a daydream of mine for a long time…

In my dreams, an acurate image would be captured with laser of our unique ear shape. That way, the PERFECT fitting aid could be made using 3-D technology (I’m thinking…).

Even better would be the flexibility to select a custom color - even printing patterns on the aids.

Even if it’s a unit, why can’t we have more flexibility with colors/styles? It’s like hearing aid manufacturers have lumped us into a camp of dullards who only wear flesh-colored plastic aids in the ear or the boring BMW lineup of colors for BTE units.

I do a lot of 3D printing. The only style of 3D printing that would work for this is resin (SLA), as filament (FDM) can’t get the level of detail needed for such small prints, and filament prints have layer lines that can trap bacteria.

I’m a bit skeptical that a laser measurement would work given the angles the laser would have to work with if measuring the ear directly. I could see a possibility with scanning the silicone impressions currently done.

Edited

It would be a cool idea to see, I know many who have gone into 3D printing personally if it was easy to make moulds or casings that way I would be buying so many different colours

I do want to add in 2015 maybe 2016 a local audiologist used a in the ear scanning method for my much needed moulds replacement, holy moly they were the BEST fitting moulds I’ve ever had. I was absalutely fascinated as always had the moulds impressions by hand so along with it came a whole new slew of questions from me about his software and the changes. He was used to new hearing aid users so we had a long chat about UK vs American difference in fittings, aids moulds and practices. While they were the best fitting most comfortable moulds I’ve ever had they were also the least durable moulds I’ve owned in 35 odd years lasted maybe 3-4 months tops before I needed replacements under warrenty. They tore apart quickly and at the time I thought cripes that was an expensive ripoff he said they were also made via machines at the time can’t vouch if that was true if so it wasn’t a good experience.

It would be cool to be able to make casings to change colours but then it would require various scans of different models and maybe someone with a deep repair knowledge to change the housings with ease. I wouldn’t be able to do that myself in person. Another issue is just a slight bump or extra material could make it impossible to change the casings and have them secure together.

I have Phonak Marvel 312Ts and ive taken the casing off plenty of times. The only problem I can think of would be how to get the imaging of the casing to be able to get it made. I’m also not sure about the specifics of rechargeable aids and how those work since mine is just held together with a single pin that also holds the battery door. I may see about asking around at my college in the engineering department if anyone would be interested in teaching me. I’m a very crafty person so for me this is quite a fun project even though it’s just an idea so far. Knowing what type of material they would have to be made of is a big help and helps let me know what kind of model I’m assuming I would need a scan of. I do have some dummy aids that I use for making sticker sheets but I only have 4 and they are just normal plastic. @LoubyLou @jonat @1Bluejay

Edited

In reply to @jonat

I am currently exploring company’s who could possibly create a product for testing this is one I have found. I would just need to create a model file. The company said an STL file would be best to use.

image

The manufacturers all use SLA systems.

Nothing to stop someone with enough time and energy doing the same. I looked at it for making moulds and sleep plugs a while ago. The amount of work needed per shell is pretty time-consuming unless you’re batch processing - though this might have improved with newer printers and materials.

If you want a repeatable way of reproducing the negative of your hearing aid shell, don’t discount vacuum forming, it’s pretty good and the material produces excellent definition if you get the thinner sheets nice and warm. Once you have a working negative you can try suitable fill and release mould materials. The downside is that the medical grade materials can be quite costly in small volumes; but it does produce usable results.

HOLY COW is all I can say!!! That is really impressive craftsmanship. I think you’re on to something here: small-batch, bespoke fit/colored/designed cases for the style conscious wearer. LOVE IT. :smiley:

Have you considered contacting makers - large to small - with your idea? It would add a unique attribute to the aid and provide a small (but possibly growing?) revenue stream if makers added this option to the total sales package.

Every time I visit my audi, I gaze longingly at the gorgeous, nail polish colors that some Widex aids come in. Why not Phonak? Or Oticon? Even smaller, aid makers should consider selling them in cases like: lipstick red, camouflage, matte teal, flowers, spirals, something other than flesh-colored and BMW shades.

Here’s how far behind times I am - I’ve read / heard references to 3D printing but haven’t a clue what is possible to do and/or what’s needed to make it happen. If someone could give me just the basics to bring me up to speed I would appreciate - I guess I could search online but I’m afraid I’d have to wade through all sorts of this and that to get there. Do I sound lazy? I confess I’m tending that way except when it comes to gardening where I’m a real slave driver with me being the slave and the driver.

Oh silly me - I guess in reading past the first paragraph here it does sort of explain how it works, sorry. I just don’t see how such a thing is possible and so I suspect there is more to it than can be concisely described to someone like me.

In reply to @DeafAntifa

Yes, get them finished in any colour you like by people who specialise in miniature art. Like a nail shop.

Then refit the shells back to the chassis once dry.

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