EarMolds DIY and Guide to types

Ear Molds DIY ( Do It Yourself ) without lab delay and shipping cost.

A NEW option is Instant Ear Molds, called "EAR BUDDIES" is NOW available to the public, without the traditional ear impression and the mailing to a lab. DIY EAR MOLDS is where the patient or Audiologist makes an Ear Mold in the ear ( 3 minutes), using a soft, PERMANENT, medical-grade, Silicone Rubber material. You are able to order all the materials with instructions for a custom, comfortable, permanent ear mold at 1/10 the cost of the normal system. There are options and colors to suit individual needs. The Kit is $39.95 for both ears and there is extra Silicone material left over to make several more earmolds.

"Ear Buddies" elastomeric qualities enable the ear-mold to move simultaneously with configuration changes in the ear canal caused by jaw movement while talking or chewing..

Instant Ear Mold Silicone rubber material allows the dispensing professional/ consumer to make a custom silicone swim-plug, ear-mold, or noise protector on the spot, in about 10 minutes. There is no mailing to a laboratory and no long waiting period. The impression becomes the final product so the patient receives a finished Ear mold on the same day. The patient's ear is used as the actual mold, resulting in the ultimate custom fit and best possible seal against water, noise, and acoustic feedback.

The "EAR BUDDIES" can be used for Hearing Aids, IPOD users, swimming, working in noise, professional musicians, pilots, race car drivers, factory workers, gun enthusiasts, sleeping, EAR PLUGS, etc.

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Please search the various categories for further information.

A demonstration video will be added soon.

They are available to the professionals and direct to the general public, satisfaction guaranteed.

Easy, do-it-yourself kit, makes molds in 3 minutes (10 minutes to cure). Dozens of everyday uses including shooting sports, sporting events, construction, lawn care, assembly lines, farming, auto races, swimming, flying, factories and much more!

Soft, permanent custom fit
No mess
All day comfort
Simple, easy to follow instructions
Safe, non toxic and hypo-allergenic silicone
Environmentally friendly
Long lasting and washable
Made in the USA

NRR 26 (Noise Reduction Rating) when used as noise plugs

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The usual Conventional Custom-fit earpieces generally provide effective sound transmission to the ear. There are many style versions to achieve acoustic and ear variations. It is frequently required that they be modified to relieve sore spots in the ear canal and/or concha by the dispenser / audiologist. They are frequently made of lucite (acrylic) or similar hard material.

Some conventional custom made Earpiece styles

There are dozens of variations of these basic styles.

Half Shell

In this mold style, a small area of the concha is filled with the finished mold. Usually, the entire helix area is absent. This mold style is recommended for clients with insertion problems due to their lack of manual dexterity and/ or those that want an inconspicuous appearance. It can be used to fit most losses by varying the length of the mold, the tube diameter and the shape of the tube where it exits close to the eardrum. A flared exit is best for high frequency sloping losses (horn tip). See below.

Shell

This is the most problem-free mold and is used when the acoustic seal is a major factor in achieving an effective hearing aid fitting, particularly in the application of high gain instruments.

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Non-Occluding Extended

This is a similar mold to the Non-Occluding type of mold except for the canal portion. The canal portion is built with an extension of plastic finished down as close to the tubung size s possible. Lucite material is usually recommended for Non-Occluding, Non-Occluding Extended, Lybarger mold and Free Field.

1/4 Invisible Canal Lock

This type of mold was developed to reduce the poor retention problem that can occur with the standard canal style. the canal lock has a finger-like projection along the bottom of the concha that acts to hold the canal portion of the mold in place. Available in all materials.

Accoustic Modifier

The accoustic modifier is a high frequency short canal / wide bore earmold. This mold can be easily altered by the dispenser. For best results, it is suggested that a S.A.V. be used with this earmold. Due to a short canal, accoustic feedback may occur with a high gain - high frequency hearing aid.

Lybarger Mold

The Lybarger dual diameter system employs a center section of 1/32" tubing in a non-occluding earmold to produce a resonator that provides an average of 12dB additional gain in the range from 4000Hz to 7000Hz. this configuration is designed for losses that are normal out to 1500Hz - 2000Hz and then drop off sharply. The Horn mold has similar results by using a continuous tubing with a horn shaped ending in the canal nest to the eardrum.

Free Field

This is another earmold belonging to the non-occluding family. The canal portion of the mold is at the top of the canal, giving the greatest amount of open space in the aperture of the canal. This mold is recommended when there is a need to reduce or eliminate frequencies below 1000Hz.

Regular (Body Aid)

This mold is used with hearing aids that have external receivers (speakers) snapped into the mold. Regular style molds have connecting rings (1/4" standard) that can be vinyl or metal. Metal rings will be supplied unless otherwise specified. Available in all materials except for Silicone rubber..

How often should you replace your ear-molds?

There are literally hundreds of combinations of mold design and material used. And that's not even taking into account the unique shape of your ear.

Molds will deteriorate at different rates depending on exposure to UV light, the chemical composition of your natural body oils, the amount the aids are worn, how many hours a day you use them, and introduction to chemicals like say hair products.

Given all the variables I just mentioned, there really is no hard and fast rule. But if I wore aids, I would look to replace the molds every 1-3 years, this keeps them looking fresh, matching the shape of your ear properly, and allowing for optimum sound to arrive in your ears. When your ear-mold does not seal the ear properly, it whistles, falls out or is sore, then it is time to consider a replacement.

Think of the mold/ tube as like tires on a car. Sure you can use them until they are almost worn out, but you risk increased stopping distance, aquaplaning, poor handling etc. You don't want an expensive hearing aid system not giving you adequate help, being compromised by a low quality or worn out mold.

If you find this website helpful, then we are gratified and we will be pleased to learn how it has benefited you. If you have questions that are beyond those covered here, you may write us at our e-Mail address, after you have read the other pages, first. info@hearingcpb4u.com ; Help us improve our website with your comments and suggestions,

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Lantos Technologies, has developed the world’s first intra-aural 3D scanning device which revolutionizes the custom earpiece device (ear mold) market. Their technology enables audiologists to eliminate the uncomfortable, messy, slow and error-prone technique used to generate impressions of the ear canal.

They are dedicated to transforming the audiology market by offering a state of the art device which will forever change the fitting and performance of custom ear products in the hearing aid specialist/ Audiologist offices.

The device is not yet commercially available in the U.S, as of 7/14/2012.

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Don Rowley, HCPB

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