The semi skeleton earmold removes part of the outer ring and leaves the final mold with either a lower concha lock or a helix lock, depending on the hearing loss, ear anatomy, and dexterity of the patient.įigure 2.
#SYSTEM SHOCK 2 ENGINEERING FULL#
Each style will be described using the full shell or full concha earmold as a reference, since most professionals are well familiar with it.Ī skeleton earmold (Figure 1) is a relative of the full shell, with a small hole cut out in the concha portion to make a ring around the bowl of the ear. Let's define and discuss some of these popular styles, as well as the options available to each of the custom subsets. If you have ever looked in an earmold product manual, you have seen the many pages of custom styles and may have felt overwhelmed at what style you should choose.
Custom earmolds are likely what most people are familiar with. The terminology used is meant to be as generic as possible, understanding that there are variations of terms with respect to manufacturer and region.Ī custom earmold is one made from a personal impression of the ear canal and concha area so it is unique to that individual's ear. In this article, we will review several earmold styles, materials, modifications, and techniques to make your molds a success for you and your patients. We are in an era where earmolds go way beyond the tried-and-true full-shell style however, each mold is inherent of certain acoustical properties to maximize a hearing aid's potential to deliver sound to the ear. You might be surprised to know that each day many professionals call in for support on selecting and fitting earmolds, whether that is due to style, material, venting, or tubing. To view the recorded course, register here.Īlthough it may seem like a basic concept, even the experienced audiologist may run into difficulties selecting the best type of earmold to fit a hearing loss or individual patient. Editor's note: This article is an edited transcription of the AudiologyOnline recorded course Earmolds and More (#16407).
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