Earmolds & acoustic couplings overview

Earmolds & Acoustic CouplingsEarmolds & Acoustic Couplings

Earmold Earmold

It is designed/molded to custom fit a It is designed/molded to custom fit a patient/client’s ear. This custom patient/client’s ear. This custom process is a result of an accurate ear process is a result of an accurate ear impression.impression.


EarmoldEarmold

There are two basic purposes for the There are two basic purposes for the use of custom earmolds. They are:use of custom earmolds. They are:

1.1. Create a sound path from the HI to Create a sound path from the HI to the ear canal.the ear canal.

2.2. Retain the HI to patient/client’s ear.Retain the HI to patient/client’s ear.


EarmoldEarmold

There may be either one or two holes There may be either one or two holes drilled into the custom mold. One hole is drilled into the custom mold. One hole is for the tube coupling of the earmold to the for the tube coupling of the earmold to the HI i.e. sound path.HI i.e. sound path.

The other hole is designed to allow outside The other hole is designed to allow outside air to mix with the air inside the ear canal air to mix with the air inside the ear canal i.e. ventilate.i.e. ventilate.


EarmoldEarmold

An earmold An earmold with a ventwith a vent hole is said to hole is said to be be non-occludingnon-occluding..

An earmold with An earmold with no ventno vent hole is said hole is said to be to be occludingoccluding. .


Earmold Occlusion EffectEarmold Occlusion Effect

Most custom earmold design is an Most custom earmold design is an attempt to create balance between attempt to create balance between the occlusion effect sensation and the occlusion effect sensation and reduction of electroacoustic feedback.reduction of electroacoustic feedback.


EarmoldEarmold

There are two basic types of There are two basic types of materials used in the construction of materials used in the construction of custom earmolds. They are:custom earmolds. They are:

1.1. Hard materialsHard materials

2.2. Soft materialsSoft materials


EarmoldEarmold

Variations in its shape are used for Variations in its shape are used for four primary purposes. They are:four primary purposes. They are:

1.1. Physical appearancePhysical appearance

2.2. Acoustic performanceAcoustic performance

3.3. ComfortComfort

4.4. Security/retention to the headSecurity/retention to the head


Earmold Physical AppearanceEarmold Physical Appearance

The color of material used and, of The color of material used and, of course, the physical size, are to be course, the physical size, are to be considered when selecting a custom considered when selecting a custom earmold for the patient/client i.e. earmold for the patient/client i.e. patient/client preferences.patient/client preferences.


Earmold Acoustic PerformanceEarmold Acoustic Performance

The shape of the sound bore effects the The shape of the sound bore effects the frequency response and output of a HI. frequency response and output of a HI. There are two primary effects used in There are two primary effects used in earmold design. earmold design.

They are:They are:1.1. Bores which widen, increase high-frequencies.Bores which widen, increase high-frequencies.2.2. Bore which restrict, reduce high-frequencies.Bore which restrict, reduce high-frequencies.


Earmold Acoustic PerformanceEarmold Acoustic Performance

Acoustic performance of mid-range Acoustic performance of mid-range frequencies may be also be modified frequencies may be also be modified by the use of dampers installed within by the use of dampers installed within the sound bore path of the HI.the sound bore path of the HI.


Earmold Comfort & RetentionEarmold Comfort & Retention

Combinations of the hard and soft Combinations of the hard and soft materials are often considered to materials are often considered to determine the best patient/client determine the best patient/client comfort and physical HI retention.comfort and physical HI retention.


Earmold Comfort & RetentionEarmold Comfort & Retention

Various shapes are also considered Various shapes are also considered when determining best patient/client when determining best patient/client comfort and retention.comfort and retention.


Other Couplings Other Couplings

There are also HI which do not require There are also HI which do not require custom earmolds. custom earmolds.

There are two basic HI configurations There are two basic HI configurations which use other couplings. which use other couplings.

They are:They are:1.1. Slim tube coupling w/dome in ear canal.Slim tube coupling w/dome in ear canal.2.2. Receiver-in-canal w/dome on receiver.Receiver-in-canal w/dome on receiver.


Earmold couplings must be Earmold couplings must be comfortable for the patient/client. comfortable for the patient/client.

It is important to become familiar with It is important to become familiar with the “landmarks” of the pinna and ear the “landmarks” of the pinna and ear canal. Let’s review these “landmarks” canal. Let’s review these “landmarks” on page #119 of Dillon.on page #119 of Dillon.

Earmolds & acoustic couplings overview

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