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| Questions about Ear Molds |
- Can I get the custom ear molds in different colors, or do they just come in clear?
- Can you make custom ear molds for children? And do you recommend the regular or soft for children?
- How are the ear molds fitted and made? What is do BTEs cost? Is the price less if two BTEs are purchased?
- I'm looking to get a pair of 2-3 year old Starkley hearing aids fitted to my ears .... I will need new ear molds ... can this be done ?
- I ordered custom ear molds in 2004. I need new ear molds but wondered if you keep the ear mold impression that we have already done. Will I need to make impressions again?
- I would like to have ear molds made and am wondering if they come in half-shell or in the canal sizes.
- I have BTE Danavox aids and need to replace the vinyl tubing on both aids. I have ear molds for both sides. I am not sure if the tubing was straight or curved to start with. Can you advise and recommend the correct tubing? Thanks.
- When I order a set of BTE aids, do I have to order the ear molds, tubes, and elbows separate, or do the aids come with everything? This is my first time as a user.
- When ordering BTE ear molds, can the solid type "shell" ear mold be ordered rather than the "skeleton" type which I have received from you in the past?
- I currently have two BTE model that I ordered from your company a few years back; I am looking at "upgrading" to the Targa2PBTE Digital model. My question involves the ear molds - do I need new ear molds, or could my current ear molds be used with the digital model?
- For BTE hearing aids, what are the advantages and disadvantages of soft molds versus standard ear molds? Which do you recommend for someone with moderate hearing loss?
- I'd like to order a new ear mold but your site doesn't really describe the difference between a "standard" and a "soft mold". I currently have what I believe is a soft silicone material without any hooks or things, flesh colored.
- Several months ago, I ordered custom ear molds for both ears. Although I had to do some minor sanding, they fit well and worked well. However, lately both cause my ears to become very sore by day's end. I have no swelling or other visible problems in the ears. Anyway, I re-sanded a little... still sore. Any ideas? Thanks
- What is the difference between the two BTE ear molds? One is $29, and the other is $39.
Can I get the custom ear molds in different colors, or do they just come in clear? (Back to Top)
Yes, custom earmolds can be made in virtually any color a person may desire. It's very simple to put color tinting into the hard lucite plastic mold material. You can also get color tinting in the soft silicone material as well. You can either tell us what color you'd like or else send in a sample color for the lab to match. Incidentally, the hard lucite custom earmolds can be produced with the color swirled in like a marbled effect or made with glittery sparkles embedded in them if you want to go fancy. You just need to inform us of your desires as you place a custom earmold order......there's no extra charge for any of this.
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Can you make custom ear molds for children? And do you recommend the regular or soft for children? (Back to Top)
Yes, we can make custom ear molds for children. Because kids grow fairly quickly, they need to have new molds made often (usually at least once a year). Either hard shell or the soft silicone molds can be used.....it mostly depends upon the hearing loss. It's harder to vent the soft silicone ones, so the soft molds are more commonly used for severe to profound types of hearing loss. However there is no right or wrong when it comes to molds. As long as the custom mold is comfortable and prevents feedback, that's what counts.
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How are the ear molds fitted and made? What is do BTEs cost? Is the price less if two BTEs are purchased? (Back to Top)
When a person orders a custom earmold that attaches to their Behind-the-Ear (BTE) aid, the order begins by our first sending out an impression kit. This kit contains everything necessary for a customer to take impressions of their ears right at home. It is a very safe and simple process....tens of thousands of our customers have successfully done this over the past 40 years with no problems whatsoever. We send enough material for a person to make two impressions of each ear - this way we'll be able to select the best impression to send on to the earmold lab. This is a very proven method and works very well.
Prices of BTE aids vary greatly. The cost of hearing aids in today's world are dictated by the level of technology of the hearing aid - not the size or style anymore. As an example, we have the older, conventional analog BTE aids starting as low as $249.50! And we sell the world's most advanced digital BTE aids at $1,500. Our retail pricing is simply a function of our cost in purchasing these instruments from the manufacturers. The question of a discount if a person purchases two aids comes up often. We do not offer a two aid discount because of the huge discounts that are already in place. Also, we don't want to penalize the person who might only purchase one instrument by making them pay more.
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I'm looking to get a pair of 2-3 year old Starkley hearing aids fitted to my ears .... I will need new ear molds ... can this be done ? (Back to Top)
I am assuming you are talking about custom in-the-ear aids, right? Not the best idea here, although technically, sure, it can be done. Most hearing offices won't even consider doing this for a person...... we have done this in the past with mixed results. The problem is that you're going to have a set of aids that was never initially built for your individual hearing loss. The output of those aids was designed for the person for whom they were made.
Now, you might get lucky and have these aids match up with your hearing loss needs as well. But understand you're buying a "pig-in-a-poke." You first buy the used aids from your source, then you have to pay us, upfront, for the cost of getting these remade to the size and shape of your ears. Cost for this service varies, dependent upon the technology level of the aids you are buying. But as a ballpark it's gonna run about $300/aid to have this done. There is no trial of it, no refund, no guarantee (other than the hearing aids will be working) ...what you get is what you get.
So, if you think it's the way to go, we'll try to help. But this process is definitely not the same as purchasing a hearing aid designed specifically for you from the start. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for contacting us.
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I ordered custom ear molds in 2004. I need new ear molds but wondered if you keep the ear mold impression that we have already done. Will I need to make impressions again? (Back to Top)
Thanks for your email. The lab does not keep impressions around longer than 30 days from the build date of a custom ear mold. So we would have to send you new impression kit material for the new molds.
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I would like to have ear molds made and am wondering if they come in half-shell or in the canal sizes. (Back to Top)
We can have custom ear molds made in virtually any size or configuration you might desire. Yes, they do come in half shell and canal sizes. All you need to do is let us know what size you would like and we'll be glad to get it produced for you. Custom ear molds begin with your taking impressions of your ears, so if you'd like to get started just email back and we'll send you the impression kit material at no charge. It is extremely simple and safe to do your own impressions. Tens of thousands of our customers have done this over the past 40 years with no problem.
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I have BTE Danavox aids and need to replace the vinyl tubing on both aids. I have ear molds for both sides. I am not sure if the tubing was straight or curved to start with. Can you advise and recommend the correct tubing? Thanks. (Back to Top)
The part you need is a special curved tubing that made just for custom ear mold applications. This is for behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids only. Straight tubing won't work since it will crimp up as the tubing makes its 90 degree angle turn into the mold. And when tubing crimps, it is just like crimping a garden hose....no water comes out - no sound comes through.
It's easy to re-tube your custom ear molds. But you should order the curved tubing for this application. The link for this is: http://lloydhearingaid.com/accessories/curvedtubing.cfm
Cost is only $2.00. If you need any hints on the re-tubing process, just give our customer service department a call @ 1-800-323-4212. We'll be glad to help.
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When I order a set of BTE aids, do I have to order the ear molds, tubes, and elbows separate, or do the aids come with everything? This is my first time as a user. (Back to Top)
No, you do not have to order any extra parts or accessories. When we ship a BTE order, everything necessary to wear the aid right out of the box is included. We send the tubing, elbow, a package of batteries and three different sized mushroom inserts which are like small earplugs..... one of which is the piece actually placed down into the ear canal opening to funnel the sound down to the eardrum. One of the three sizes of mushroom inserts is assured to fit virtually everyone. Many BTE users elect to have custom ear molds made in order to fit the exact size and shape of their ears once they have tried out and decided to keep an aid(s). A custom ear mold has many advantages (like ability to have it vented as well as feedback control) over a simple, generic mushroom insert. But a person will get 90% of the effectiveness and impact of wearing a BTE even using an insert.
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When ordering BTE ear molds, can the solid type "shell" ear mold be ordered rather than the "skeleton" type which I have received from you in the past? (Back to Top)
Absolutely...if you prefer a different style, that's no problem. You can still order ear molds via the website, just follow the order up with an email stating what exactly you want (i.e. color, style [full shell, skeleton, canal, etc], vent/no vent, etc). If you'd rather speak with someone about the differences between the styles or venting options, feel free to call. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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I currently have two BTE model that I ordered from your company a few years back; I am looking at "upgrading" to the Targa2PBTE Digital model. My question involves the ear molds - do I need new ear molds, or could my current ear molds be used with the digital model? (Back to Top)
A person does not necessarily need new custom ear molds when they purchase a new BTE aid. If the old ones still fit you well, you certainly can use them. All you need to do is detach them from the old hearing aids and slip them onto the new ones. You probably should re-tube the old molds, though. A person should re-tube their molds at least once a year. The curved tubings get hard and brittle (from body heat and chemicals). If the tubing cracks, sound will leak out and the aid can start to have feedback problems. It's always best to keep new tubes in the molds - ones that are more soft and supple. Re-tubing your custom mold is easy. We have instructions so anyone can do it. You might want to order the special curved tubings when you place your order for the new aids.
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For BTE hearing aids, what are the advantages and disadvantages of soft molds versus standard ear molds? Which do you recommend for someone with moderate hearing loss? (Back to Top)
Both types of ear molds provide excellent benefits for feedback control as well as keeping a hearing aid securely in place. The difference we have found is that the soft mold generally provides a bit better feedback control, since it can move a bit when or if a person's ear canal might move in connection with jaw movement (when you chew, talk, smile, etc.). This makes the soft custom ear mold a bit better for people using extremely high-powered BTE aids. The drawback of soft molds is that it is very difficult to have venting installed in them. The silicone material is sort of "rubbery" and drilling a good vent hole is problematical. The hard Lucite material used in the standard custom ear mold is extremely well suited for installation of vent holes. Venting of an aid is a desirable effect for most people. It helps alleviate the feeling of occlusion, or the feeling like you're "talking in a barrel." Since people with severe to profound hearing losses probably couldn't utilize venting due to the problems it can create with feedback, again, soft ear molds are good selection for them. Both types of custom ear molds should really be equal in terms of comfort.
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I'd like to order a new ear mold but your site doesn't really describe the difference between a "standard" and a "soft mold". I currently have what I believe is a soft silicone material without any hooks or things, flesh colored. (Back to Top)
Our standard custom ear mold is made with a hard plastic Lucite material and is usually clear. The Soft-mold is made from silicone and is basically opaque. It is true that either material can be custom ordered to whatever color a person may desire. The standard hard Lucite mold would have a color tint put into it during the casting process according to a person's wish - same with the silicone molds. Also, if you have a particular size or style of mold in mind, just let us know when you return the finished impressions. We will instruct the lab to produce the mold in whatever configuration you may want. You don't need to worry about what impression kit to order - we send out the exact same materials, and the impression process is exactly the same, regardless of what finished product is being produced.
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Several months ago, I ordered custom ear molds for both ears. Although I had to do some minor sanding, they fit well and worked well. However, lately both cause my ears to become very sore by day's end. I have no swelling or other visible problems in the ears. Anyway, I re-sanded a little... still sore. Any ideas? Thanks (Back to Top)
Sorry to hear of the problem your having with the ear molds. Based upon the fact that molds seemed to work well for you after you did the initial sanding and you weren't having problems until just recently, there may be the possibility that you are trapping water or moisture down in your ear when you put the molds in. I also think that this could be the problem since you say that both ears are giving you problems. This water/moisture issue can definitely be a problem for hearing aid users. It is important that you dry your ear canals as thoroughly as possible prior to putting the molds into your ear. I know many of our customers will take a shower in the morning, dry their ears with a towel or tissue, then put their aids in. I suggest that you blow-dry your ear canals (on low heat for at least 30 sec/ear) to try to get them as bone-dry as possible first. If moisture is trapped down between the end of the custom mold and your eardrum, over time this can cause a low-grade ear infection and your ear will become very sore. You may need to give your ears a few days rest from the irritation of having molds in them at this point. When your ears have settled down a bit, then do the blow-dry thing and see if the problem persists.
If the problem persists, it would be back to the sanding (maybe filing down with an emery board) for relief. The molds can't be too far off in their fit if, again, you had several good months of usage without immediate discomfort. If a mold is really not fitting a person properly, it generally only takes a few hours of wearing before the discomfort is bad, maybe unbearable. The ear is very sensitive organ when it comes to fitting something down inside it. I hope this helps. Let us know if you do have ongoing problems.
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What is the difference between the two BTE ear molds? One is $29, and the other is $39. (Back to Top)
The $29.95 custom ear mold is made with the standard, traditional, hard Lucite material. These molds are transparent so a person's natural skin color shows through. The advantage of this type of mold over the other soft mold is that these can be, and usually are, built with venting drilled through the plastic. Venting allows the ear to "breathe" and greatly helps reduce any feeling a person may get like they are "talking in a barrel." That phenomena is called occlusion. We recommend the Lucite, vented ear molds for moderate, moderate-to-severe, and even severe degrees of hearing losses.
The $39.95 soft custom ear mold is cast using a silicone material. These types of molds are excellent in preventing feedback, (whistling or squealing) caused by sound leaking out of the fit of the mold. We recommend these types of molds for people using high-powered behind-the-ear (BTE) aids. They are excellent for severe and profound hearing losses. It is very difficult to effective vent these soft silicone ear molds, so if a person wants venting, best to order the Lucite version. As a word of assurance, both types of custom ear molds are equally comfortable.
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