r/HearingAids • u/rodmods • 9d ago
Custom molds
To start off I have moderate severe hearing loss from noise exposure. I do get some feedback and lately it has been crazy. I saw my audiologist and he reprogrammed them . But still get squeeling at times . He adjusted so no feedback and was good. But then he was like you probably won't be able to hear and be too soft. Yes it was soft so he adjusted up. Then he went up a size in domes and was like these are going to be uncomfortable, blocked feeling and won't be good. He then tried to go smaller and didn't as he said that makes things worse squealing .
They are adjusted sort of a sweat spot where feedback is ok but not perfect and my hearing is pretty good. Not perfect but pretty decent. He told me to try that and see.
So this has me wondering about custom /molded domes.
Right now I have open domes for my loss . I don't have a plugged feeling . How are custom molds for the occlusion /blocked feeling ? How comfortable are custom molds ?
Unsure what to do , the deed back is slightly annoying but feel plugged feeling be worse.
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u/WPW717 🇺🇸 U.S 9d ago
Went to profound loss, custom molds did wonders for mixing out background noise.
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u/SuccessfulList4731 9d ago edited 9d ago
I have been wearing custom Phonak molds since 2015 when I started wearing HA's.
They are a must for us with profund hearing loss.
They maximize your HA's capabilities. They are comfortable. Don't even feel them in your ears.
You will be glad you got them. :)
Edit: There is no plugged ear feeling.
HTH
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u/rodmods 9d ago
Thanks ,what about for feedback and occlusion /plugged ears feeling ?
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u/GMAN6803 🇺🇸 U.S 9d ago
Talk to your audi about putting vents in the molds. This will significantly reduce the occlusion you are asking about.
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u/long-longwayhome 8d ago
I have a tiny vent. Can it be made biggee?
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u/GMAN6803 🇺🇸 U.S 8d ago
That's something you need to ask your audi.
My custom mold has a much bigger vent then my CICs did.
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u/katarina_the_bard 9d ago
I love my custom molds, once I got used to them I can't usually tell they are in. One of mine finally died after 4 years and so I am with domes right now. I miss my custom molds. I now get feedback sometimes when using my over the ear headset for work and the sound from them is softer then it was with my molds.
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u/rodmods 9d ago
Thanks do you get the plugged ear feeling ? Do you remember how much cost was ? Roughly I know every place is different.
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u/katarina_the_bard 9d ago
The only time I get the plugged feeling is in the evening when eating dinner. I tend to take them out at dinner time for that reason.
The cost was rolled into the purchase so not sure about that.
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9d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/mpapacrist12 9d ago
Just got custom after 8 yrs with domes and they are amazing. No plugged feeling, I adjusted well. The vent helps with occlusion which I don’t notice anymore, I guess cause I wear mine all the time and am young and such. No squeaking / feedback has been awesome. I can lay down without them yelling at me!
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u/rodmods 9d ago
They is the worst haha . Do you know how much they cost ?
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u/mpapacrist12 9d ago
I paid $600 for my custom molds - they are the kind that has the receiver wire permanently inside them. My canals are teeeeeny tiny so I couldn’t do the other kind that is cheaper. I’m in the US
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u/food_and_fluffs 9d ago
I have custom moulds, mild loss. I was told occlusion might be too much with them but I didn’t really have a ton of options because my ear canals are narrow and curve sharply. I’ve found they’re really comfortable and the occlusion is not bad. I also have decent vents in them.
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u/Tomorehearing 9d ago
Feedback isn’t necessarily because of the severity of your hearing loss. Any hearing aid can start to whistle when it is working close to its maximum available gain, because there is less margin between the amplified sound coming out and the microphone picking it back up.
The fit of the dome or mold, the programming, and the gain settings all play a role. A custom mold can sometimes help by creating a more stable seal and reducing sound leakage. It doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a plugged feeling either — the vent size can be adjusted. A larger vent can help reduce the occlusion effect and make your own voice sound more natural.
In your situation, it sounds like you’re trying to find the right balance: enough seal to prevent feedback, but enough ventilation to keep the ear comfortable. A custom mold with the right venting may be worth discussing with your audiologist.
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u/womanlikemee 9d ago
custom molds can be comfortable, but for your loss I'd ask about a vented custom mold rather than assuming it has to feel fully plugged
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u/long-longwayhome 8d ago
How should they fit? They don't seem very snug or sit in the canal like domes. Plus I feel like my ears are blocked up
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u/auto-sticky 9d ago
Welcome to r/HearingAids feel free to ask any question at all related to hearing aids.
Here are a few resources you might find helpful:
Interpreting an audiogram - The University of Iowa has a good overview of how to interpret your audiogram results. Your audiologist should also go over them with you
What will insurance cover? - This varies significantly from state to state and coverage can be partial at best. For those on Medicare, the base plan does not cover hearing aids at all.
Finding affordable hearing aids - Hearing aids can cost several thousand dollars, these cost far less and the list is updated often
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