I’ve worn aids for some 19 years, ~8 with a “hard” earmold and tube to carry sound into it, ~9 with “domes” on the receiver in ear, and the last 2 with “soft” earmolds using the same receiver as with the domes; hearing got worse and we couldn’t manage feedback with the domes.
About 12 months into the soft earmolds, one ear began “pushing” the aid out. I broke the wire at the receiver pushing it in all the time. Costco remade that earmold, same technology, very slightly deeper…That worked for some 6 months. About 18 months into the soft earmolds, I got what my PCP (primary care provider ,not an ENT) thought was an soft tissue infection. My Audi again saw nothing wrong. PCP prescribed an oral antibiotic which seemed to 90% resolve my problem. Four months later, it recurred. He prescribed the antibiotic again which didn’t help. I asked for a referral to an ENT and my PCP gave me a topical antibiotic. When the ENT saw me, he said it appears to be a blister from friction with the soft aid; he agreed with the topical, but said to get some domes instead of the earmold for a while. If that resolves the blister issue, get some better fitting earmolds. Blisters (both ears now in the last 4 weeks or so) seem to be getting better after a week.
Aids and audi are from Costco. Resound made the earmolds from impressions by the Costco audi. ENT said their audi can provide earmolds if I want to get “proper” fit … I think he doesn’t respect Costco. Obviously, I’d pay for them.
I intend to FIRST go back to Costco and ask for better earmolds, but what do I want? If they refuse, I guess I have to go elsewhere.
Thanks!