As an update I went in for my mold impressions today at Costco. Took about 30 minutes to do both ears. Not unpleasant at all. Some learnings:
Costco in Alberta does not use the OTO Hearing company that I suspect they did. They only use them for custom ear plugs, and sometimes for receiver behind the ear tube type HA’s. For RIC HA’s they use the manufacturer – essentially Sivantos for Kirkland, and Rexton. Interestingly they ship the impressions out east to Ontario for scanning, with the digital details going to Holland in Europe for manufacture. So it takes up to 2 weeks to get them. I guess the reason is that RIC molds have to be made specific to each manufacturer’s receiver. I should have known that, but did not really think about it…
In any case I will be getting straight canal type silicone molds with no external retention features. The fitter did not think it was necessary. Assuming there is room for them, they will both have Select-a-Vents, so they can adjust the venting on site here. She says they will make the molds as many times as it takes to get them right and they can be returned if I am not satisfied with them. Seems hard to beat that for service. The Canadian cost is $80 each with some paid by our government health care to bring the cost down to about $135 for the pair – about $100 US.
I sure hope this is the solution to getting a good fit!