A hearing aid fitting is about more than choosing the right technology. The way the hearing aid sits in your ear can change how well it works.
The image shows just some of the mould shapes available, from small canal styles to larger full moulds. These shapes affect two parts of a fitting: retention (how securely the hearing aid stays in place) and acoustics (how sound moves through the ear).
A hearing aid is programmed for your hearing loss, but its sound still needs to reach your eardrum. If a mould or dome lets too much amplified sound escape, the hearing aid may whistle, known as feedback. That leakage can also limit how much amplification we can use. A closer seal may help, especially when someone needs more amplification. asha.org
The most enclosed mould is not automatically the best choice, though. Some people benefit from a more open fitting or a small opening called a vent. Venting can make the ear feel less blocked and help your own voice sound more natural. The right balance depends on your hearing loss, ear shape and how much sound the hearing aid needs to deliver. asha.org
The styles pictured include canal locks, skeleton moulds and full moulds. Their different shapes give us ways to help a mould stay in place while considering comfort, ease of insertion and the seal needed for the fitting. If a hearing aid shifts when you talk or chew, it may affect both comfort and sound.
This is why we ask how your hearing aids feel during an ordinary day, not just while you are sitting in the clinic.
At Sound Audiology, we consider your hearing results alongside the shape of your ears, comfort, dexterity and listening needs when choosing a dome or mould. We then check the physical fit and can measure the sound delivered in your ear to help verify that the hearing aid is meeting its fitting targets. asha.org
If your hearing aid whistles, slips out, feels uncomfortable or makes your own voice sound strange, tell us. Sometimes a change to the mould or vent can make a meaningful difference.
Great hearing care is not just about the hearing aid you choose. It is about fitting it to you.
