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Price for custom molds (RIC)

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It is available in Europe. I called Microsonic. Another post somewhere here reported something similar. You’re welcome to call and verify.

In reply to @bradw

@bradw said:

and it seems plausible that a properly engineered vent would at least minimize the problems with points a and b

Your higher frequency loss is similar to mine. I recently swapped out some custom vented slimtips for (2 small holes). I changed the fitting in Target and ran the feedback and real ear test. The resulting fitting took a huge chunk of gain off my 2-4KHz area. I do believe this was overkill as before I did the test, I was only getting feedback in a very confined space.

Unfortunately, the level of venting vs. occlusion is governed by the LF response, not the HF. So the kind of mould we choose is based almost entirely on that. THe OP has normal hearing at 250Hz which is why we wouldn’t consider anything but a pretty open fitting.

I was called a bully on the Facebook ’Audiology Chat‘ for calling out another Audiologist who said you definitely need moulds for 2KHz/40dB losses. We regularly fit moulds (for substantial losses), but in my eyes they were looking like a shill for one of the Manufacturers as I asked them to evidence the claim and they couldn’t.

Another reason that we don’t over specify them is that (especially ) ruin the serviceability strength of models - meaning that you’re in the same boat as a for receiver reliability. Return to base (RTB) failures are costly, slow and dependent on delivery services. Changing a receiver is a 10 second process and I can stock your spares, whereas with the RTB you’re going to be without hearing for a week or more, might need new impressions and cost £100-150 depending on the kind of mould needed.

They also don’t fit in well with our ‘free demonstration’ program: we can’t legitimately absorb that kind of fee into the process, at the expense of other customers.

@Um_bongo said:

Another reason that we don’t over specify them is that (especially C-shells) ruin the serviceability strength of RIC models - meaning that you’re in the same boat as a CIC for receiver reliability

Exactly why I chose Slimtips

This past January my audiologist ordered acrylic moulds direct from Phonak and the price was $400/pair. I noticed improved sound quality, the comfort level was 200% better. The fit is not as tight as domes as certain movements will cause them to loosen or dislodge. For example, if I’m under a car performing maintance, side to side head movement will cause them to loosen. But then, why do I need the to begin with if I’m working on a car and don’t need to hear speech? I also turn my phone off so as not to be bothered with calls, texts or emails. Normally wear, I’ve been very happy.

In reply to @Bimodal_user

I want them for durability. Acrylic earmolds break or crack often.
Titanium can handle humidity (sweat or water) better and won’t rust.

Also, titanium is hypoallergenic if you have itching ears.

Some practices uses flat fee mold pricing or have not modernized to account for the fact that with digital ear scans they do not need new impressions each time. Plenty audiologists charge $150+ for molds that are $40 at Costco. It’s unlikely the audiologist will show the patient the invoice to see how much titanium was billed by Microsonic. Transparency could be better.

Edited

It’s roughly half and half. There are basically no margins on custom tips when you account for cost of clinical time, which is one reason some clinics push domes. I wouldn’t be surprised if many places had custom tips going for a bit if a loss of they spend 30 minutes discussing options and taking impressions, 30 minutes redoing at delivery, and time again fixing any issues if it doesn’t come in perfect.

Edited

Hopefully the pros will chime in and add more details. It depends as there are at least three types for : embedded (can’t be swapped), non-embedded (friction fit so maybe can be swapped), and collar (can be swapped but can break. Collar snaps onto the end of the receiver and can even be interchangeable between some brands. Swapping between receiver strengths is more limited as more powerful receivers tend to be physically larger, but may work with some collar designs.

Some molds have an external and some have no filter but require the receiver to be removed to change the receiver filter. Some can have both.

For , I’m curious.

Soft silicone molds and you can swap out receiver with no real problems, including from different manufacturers, medium to power was easy, std to medium as well, from std to power would probably be an issue tho, lots flexibility with the soft silicone.

Does that depend on the exact material and design or can one usually squeeze a larger receiver in?

The receiver placement in soft silicone seems a little imprecise in that it can move in and out a bit altering where the receiver is in the ear. Perhaps that does not matter?

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