Help/Advice on hearing aid for short/small canal

Hi,

I’m new to this forum and new to HA’s. Had my first pair fitted this week. I went with Specsavers and for the Advanced Elite version (the Phonak white label version).

As soon as they were fitted I noticed some pain, so the audi changed the dome fittings to the smallest available. By my 3rd day in, I can no longer wear them due to the pain inside my ears.
I was told by the audi that I have very short ear canals (in fact, my whole ears are as small as a toddlers ear! :laughing:).

I got back in touch with Specsavers and the audi has been great. She said that the HA I currently have has the smallest domes it can go to. She’s suggested trying a different white label HA from the makers of Sigina as they have smaller domes to try.

Has anyone else had this issue with small ear canals and can offer any advice?
I’m only 44yo so have many years ahead of me and would love to be able to hear properly!

Thanks

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Update:

Forgot to mention, I’ve been given a RIC hearing aid.

Also, the Audi is going to try me with a Signia version next week to see if the fit is more comfortable.

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anything Oticon is great for small canals (perfect with glasses so keep that tip in mind!)

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I also have a short ear canal. I couldn’t wear anything Phonak. Otican and resound were doable. I dont have an experience with widex or Starkey

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Thanks @MisTrae for the feedback.
I’m trying Signia ones now but already have had to swap out the in canal receiver for a smaller one in one ear. I’m hoping my ears will just get used to it.

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Hi @Otikid05, thank you for reaching out. Will definitely research into those makes you mentioned and will ask if they are available through Specsavers :pray:t3:

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you’re welcome anytime! :smiley:

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I think the length of the speaker/receiver is a BIG issue, too. It’s shaped like a bulky matchstick, and does not bend in any way to fit ear canals. That is my point of pain. The speaker/receiver has a double-dome in soft silicone, but dang if that ROCK HARD speaker doesn’t jam up against the side of my ear canal at the tip. No getting around it.

Some days the pain is worse than others cuz my ear canals seem to swell UP and go down throughout the day. For the most part I do fine, but I totally empathize with your situation. It may be more than just a DOME/TIP issue is what I’m saying.

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Hi

I’ve just found this site and , as I have very small ear canals , I was interested in your question. It’s now September and I wondered if you have found a great fit yet? Any suggestions?

I started wearing aids in March, Signia Styletto IX but the metal post is so long and solid that it hurts my ear. Did the smaller one work for you and was the hearing quality as good?

I can’t believe that it should be uncomfortable, with modern tech this should be easy?! I also wear glasses, as an added challenge!

I am in UK so Costco etc n/a to me . Any advice appreciated.

Thanks :slight_smile:

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I wear Starkey Edge AI aids with silicone moulds.

To quote my audiologist, you have tiny ear canals.

My moulds fit fine. No pain. I do not feel them in my ears.

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My wife has ReSound Vivia hearing aids, and I noticed how very small her receivers are (I was helping her change her domes and wax filters). Compared to my Phonak receivers, which don’t seem overly large to me (despite my canals being small), they seem absolutely tiny. Maybe this info will be helpful. I wouldn’t be surprised if molds are more comfortable than domes for you.

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