I am a 70 year old new HA wearer, using Phonak Spheres for a couple of months. I started with open domes. They would not stay reliably in my ear canals, even after trying different sizes and concha locks. After a few weeks, my Audi suggested custom acrylic ear molds - I believe they were Phonak Slimfits. They feel and sound better than the domes. However, they do not stay in place either and the right one is causing pain. I find myself checking them often during the day and they always work their way out. I believe that when I talk or chew, the muscles may cause this movement. I went back and my Audi again installed concha locks and again they did nothing to stabilize them. He suggested that the next step is to have them remade with some type of molded in concha lock, which I am not sure I like the idea of.
I want to add that when he made the impressions, he instructed me to be as still as possible. I have read that you should move your jaw as it is setting. Which is correct?
Is a digital impression a better way of making a mold?
My question is, what options do I have?
Number one, I think the right mold will need to be redone to alleviate the pain.
Then to tackle the instability issue for both molds, is it possible to make these molds out of a soft material or with some texture to it? Maybe they are just not made correctly and need to be remade with acrylic again?
I am new to all of this, so I am asking for guidance.
I assume that they are Phonak molds. If so I would have them remade. The new Phonak facility which serves the US is in Mexicali Mexico which was put into service earlier this year, apparently is having problems with molds. I ordered HA’s in August and yet to get the molds that we ordered (although there have been a few incorrect molds sent). In the past I have used acrilic cShells and titanium slimtips which were comfortable and stayed in place. I am hoping that will be the result again when they get their act together in the new facility. I have always remained still when the impressions were taken. I have not experienced digital impressions.
Yes, I am told that they are from Phonak.
Can I get Phonak titanium slimtips for the Spheres? Are they superior to the acrylics for comfort and fit? Could it be that some people have more difficulty than others with molds staying in due to muscle movement? What is the cost difference?
My Audi told me the titanium slimfits were not available for the Spheres.
Your Audi is correct. According to the data sheet, the slimtips for the Sphere are only available in acrylic and silicone. The cShell is available in Titanium. I have used both cShell and slimtips and find them the most comfortable that I have used. All of the audi’s I have used have charged the same price for any mold. I have no idea if that is a general practice of just with the Audi’s that I used.
My slimtips are acrylic and fit well, and stay in place. However, when my Audiologist took the impressions, he asked me to bite on a block, which kept my jaw partially open.