“You can’t hear a darn thing” is what I’m told

Wow, that’s very informative! I’m thinking titanium with a skeleton lock may be what I should choose.

@kevels55 said:

Also, I believe, a digital ear scan is required, and the scan is then sent to the manufacturer in Vietnam, which begs the question, has anyone been fitted with moulds using a digital ear scan?

No, I had completely silicone impression. Very deep, definitely 5mm beyond 2nd bend of ear canal. The bony part of impression was even totally smooth, because there aren’t any hairs in that part of ear canal (⅓ lenght closer to eardrum).

@kevels55 said:

, nor could I get any private Audiologist’s to make me a “BTE” set, if I mention this, the A.uD rapidly changes the subject! I would imagine, this might be due to the high return rate?

I really don’t know. Your supposition may be right.

@AttilaDaPun said:

Wow, that’s very informative! I’m thinking titanium with a skeleton lock may be what I should choose.

Titanium cShells from Phonak order form doesn’t provide possibility od skeleton form or canal lock. However, you can choose rough surface for better grip. You can find order form on Phonak website.

There is Microsonic (Canadian) and Horlusch(?) - I can’t remember proper German company name, but I don’t know if they provide rough surface.

Tee-hee! Yes! And believe it or not, I get GREAT speech clarity with these Lumity Life 312s. HOWEVER. I would LOVE to explore a custom mold from material I’m not allergic to (firm silicone, or acrylic of any kind).

My other longterm issue with custom molds is that my ears swell UP and go down noticeably throughout the day, so I’ve never had a custom mold (back in the days when I wore ITE) that FIT.

The squishy-ness of flexible silicone power domes is what lets me jam them in my ears, no matter what time of day. But that action (like pushing eyeglasses up the nose alllllllll day long) is what has led to my now needing a speaker/wire replacement on one of the pairs of aids.

Oh, did I forget to mention - I BROKE my right shoulder 2 weeks ago, and can barely reach across my head to put that right aid in with my left hand. I can not even imagine the pain and inability to do this if I had snug-fitting custom molds. But hopefully, the shoulder will heal and that part will be history.

Oh no. Been there. Mine healed quickly. Left shoulder. 1-2 months.

Heal well!

It would work fine, if you were part octopus!

Edit: @1Bluejay - A silly alternative is to gently position the HA for the right ear on a countertop or table, dome or mold up. Position your head over the HA, ear side down, 4 to 6 inches above the HA. By sheer force of will, levitate the HA into your ear and position all components as they should be, in a hands-free manner. It’s obviously less difficult and less painful than putting an HA into the right ear with a broken shoulder, or using the left hand to reach. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy!

Take care fella, you’re going through it.

LOL! I’m at 2 weeks, 3 days out from busted shoulder. Still wake up with HUGE pain entire length of that right arm, but oddly, after moving around 10-15 min, it’s diminished to tolerable.

As a result, I’ve pushed the envelope with RIGHT speaker insertion - no easy-peasy feat! I just cradle my right elbow with left hand and lift that arm up - like a mighty Manitowoc tower crane … allllllllllllll the way up till my right hand is in surgical position to POKE that receiver into my ear canal. It’s a slow operation, but at least I can get it in.

One-handed insertion of LEFT aid into LEFT ear is easy-peasy. I coulda been a circus performer, but the audience for hearing aid insertion on flat ground is pretty much nill. Would never fill a tent.