Ear molds. Like 'em? Hate 'em? Pros? Cons? Problems? (Phonak Lumity)

I think we have similar issues. I cannot and should not wear anything but custom ear mold due to surgery - eardrum replacement. Not sure how others feel but for me they are the only thing.

Yes. I have ear molds formed using the putty method. A slow setting goop is put in the ear and allowed to harden giving an impression of the cavity. I took about a week to get used to them because I had trouble getting them placed properly despite the care in making them.

The two problems you mentioned appeared: 1) easy to dislodge, making me uneasy about losing them, and also 2) sore ears if you fiddle a lot getting them into place. However, I also was worried they would make me feel plugged up, and that did not happen.

If the ear molds are made correctly they are extremely comfortable. I learned a very long time ago to move my jaws like i am eating and and talked as the impressions are setting up. I wear full skeleton ear molds so there is no slipping or movement that can cause soreness. My latest ear molds where done with 3D scanning of my ear canals and also the old fashioned way of impressions. I was told that the old fashioned impressions were to be used to verify the 3D scans. I don’t even notice the hearing aids, my aids go in my ears when I get up and stay there until I go to bed. My aids are adjusted to the point that I don’t have extra programs or even need to adjust the volume, it is like i have normal hearing. But it has been a long process to get to this point. It takes a awesome audiologist and patience to have the needed adjustments.

Over the last 15 years I had to have the ear molds redone maybe 2 times, and like you each time I get new aids, they needed adjustments 3 or 4 times, some with my input to the Audi, after that a bit like you, I don’t change programs very often, only under special conditions set up by me on the app. With my P70T connections issues are not an issue.

@DoctorNo, have you ever discussed earmold placed deeper, reaching bony part of ear canal (⅓ medial length)?

I am curious about your audiogram. Look at mine - I “should” have occlusion effect, but don’t have it. It’s probably because of deep placement of my power domes.

I recommend that articles:

Am I expecting too much from infinio sphere?

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/ent-effects-for-various-vent-diameters-assuming-a-vent-length-of-14-mm-and-a-residual_fig4_262057536 [Screenshot_20250808_011713_Edge] Here’s what I mentioned. The deeper the ending of the earmold, the less occlusion effect. I’m glad I see you gradually getting more accustomed to new HAs.

And, if you have much free time :

Power dome or custom ear mold

Interesting statistics from Signia: [Screenshot_20250630_225538_LinkedIn] Source: LinkedIn And link from the comment on the screen: You can use the Microsoft Edge translator to read in English.

@DoctorNo

I agree with @Bimodal_user here. I now have deep custom moulds, with a 3mm vent (I drilled them out myself as 2mm gave me occlusion).

I used a 1" (25mm) bite block when getting the impressions done. I get no occlusion.

Here’s the 3mm drill bit I used. Looks like I’m up to no good lol

Take care
Peter

Looks like a Dewalt @PeterH, an awful shiny one I probably do get occlusion, but, I am so used to it, I just doesn’t bother me anymore, I have no vents whatsoever, my own voice always seems way too loud… But we all adapt to circumstances beyond our control, I need that gain… Cheers Kev

I have experienced an unexpected turn of events in the last few days. My old power domes that I received with my Sphere 90 from Wholesalehearing.co.uk were pretty good, but have too much slit leakage to give me the proper gain above 2.5 kHz.

There is my feedback threshold with that power domes, P receiver:

A few days ago I bought spare Phonak power domes, which has small difference on the appearance, but the feedback threshold is better and perfect with overtuning and I can get the 100% potential of P receiver (still isn’t enough for my loss).

The silicone is noticeably harder than in previous, maybe that makes a difference:

The second plot twist. After 4.5 month waiting 19th Aug I received titanium cShell, which fit somewhat good, but Phonak manufacturer wanted to make me happy by force and inserted Acoustically Optimized Vent (AOV) instead of 0.6mm diameter, despite I wrote that requirement clearly in the order form. AAAAARRRGHHH!

Of course, the feedback threshold was awfully low, poorer than in the first screen in this post.

I packed vent by tissue paper and it’s better (perfect feedback threshold), this is after new AudiogramDirect:

As you can see, I’ve got additional (unnecessary) possibility to make more gain in frequency range below 400 Hz.

BUT there’s the THIRD plot twist!

Despite the same fitting (gains, etc.):

1. Earplug effect (so isolation from noise) is better with harder silicone power domes than new titanium c Shell with occluded vent by tissue paper!
2. I hear sounds noticeably quieter with that cShell than with previous harder silicone power domes!

I checked that also after additional AudiogramDirect after change to cShell, so I assume that phonomenon is due to Boyle’s law: the closes receiver is to eardrum the larger is dB SPL. The P receiver with power domer is probably ~4mm closer to the eardrum and that possibly makes a difference in situation when I can’t get more from the P receiver.

26th Aug I’ll receive another titanium cShell for older Paradise 90. I hope that will be with 0.6mm vent, so will be also narrower and I could push it deeper in the ear canal.

I put this post as another topic to better share my experience:

Titanium cShell vs. Power Domes – first impressions before complaining about large venting

@1Bluejay, I’ll create another topic with advices before ordering titanium, so wait a while! I’ll get second titanium cShell for Paradise 90 as a spare (I hope with 0.6mm vent) in Tuesday and I’ll give a feedback! Perhaps I should order with no vent at all to make cShell canal stalk as narrow as possible!

@BobbyBoomer said:

But they are not deep enough to block out the internal saxophone bone conduction sound as much as I’d like.

Hi @BobbyBoomer - surely they never will, because your teeth conduct sound from the saxophone mouthpiece…?

I use custom molded earplugs when I’m on stage performing or in the audience listening to a band. I have just started recently with custom molded tips on my In Ear Monitors. I put my hearing aids back in during the set breaks when I want to converse with people.

Bands and venues are so loud. I don’t understand why, but it is what it is.

I am really enjoying this thread….thanks for sharing your story !

@SaxMan said:

Bands and venues are so loud. I don’t understand why, but it is what it is.

Volume is a drug to musicians, especially those who play through amplifiers.

I remember starting out when I was young, the sax player (me) didn’t need a mic. The amps were small, and the vocals went through a 35 watt Bogen PA amp. Sometimes through the ceiling speakers of the nightclub.

But times changed, venues got bigger and the music got louder. We bought a PA and I bought a mic.

When the Beatles came around, it was the first super boost in volume. All of a sudden, the guitarist’s Fender Twin Reverb and the bassist’s Ampeg B15 wasn’t enough. We were on the road, went into a club, and they said that we sound great but something is missing.

So we checked out the band that just left, they were across town, and the guitist had a Vox Super-Beatle amp, which was huge and loud.

We went to a music store and “amped up” the next day. It’s also when I bought my first set of ear plugs. They were foam or the kind gun shooters used, but they brought the sound down to reasonable levels in my head.

Eventually we progressed to being the opening concert act for major stars, Four Seasons, Association, and man Motown acts. Probably the biggest venue was a Motown review in Cobo Hall. That was loud, with monitors on stage.

Funny, I used ear protection all my pro life, and then, a misdiagnosed allergy cut off the circulation to my inner ears and trashed my hearing. Sometimes you just can’t win.

And now, Long-COVID took out even more. I’m only 79 and ready to retire. I have the music Bluetoothed to my Phonak aids, at a low volume, and the ear molds allow that by blocking out room sound. I have my phone on stage, and active, so if someone comes up to talk, I can swipe left on the mix bar and change the aids from the PA to the room.

So for me, the ear molds coupled with the Phonak software are gig savers.