Trying to understand the custom ear mold process. I have been wearing BTE HA for many years now. First was on the left side only and now bilateral. So, my question is who determines the configuration of the ear mold after the impression is taken? Both of my ear molds have some type of 'vent" hole in them that is below the tube that takes the sound from the receiver BTE into the ear canal. The “vent” hole for my right HA is much larger than the hole in the equivalent location in my left ear. These were made approx 10 years apart by different people. I have profound hearing loss in my left ear due to having the eardrum replaced about 40 years ago. Hearing loss in my right hear is severe. Speech recognition in my left ear is significantly better than my right ear which tells me that the cause of the hearing loss is different in both ears. Just wondering why these “vent” holes are of such different sizes - one being barely the size of a pin and the other being at least 5 times that. Is this something for my audiologist to answer?
The vent sizes are probably different because the loss of hearing in each ear was different at the time the ear molds were made. Small vent where hearing lower frequencies is poor and you don’t want the lower frequencies from the aid to escape. Larger vent where the lower frequency is better and you want to benefit from hearing more of the outside sounds. Here is a YouTube video from Dr. Cliff
Thanks. This makes sense, I think. I has befuddled me since I had an audiology technician say - it looked like they left a plug in here - for the left ear mold. Interesting video. My first HA was unilateral for left ear with the profound loss - the HA was a Phonak!!!
Did your other molds have vents? I know there’s the “best practice” of when and what size for vents. That said, i HATED the vents. I had to be VERY insisent that I didnt want vents. For me it was a preference. I went though several molds. One of them was a “select the size” with vent inserts. I hated them. Luckily my audiologist listened to me and made sure to emphasize no vents per client preference.
I only have one set of ear molds. Have used the one for left ear for at least 20 years now. I understand they serve many purposes. I don’t think I would ever have ear molds without vents.