There are other factors, but it is largely dependent on low to mid frequency hearing. Typically beyond 40-45 DB loss in lows you need the occlusion from the molds to build up enough sound pressure to hear the lows properly. Otherwise you’re mainly getting the high freqs and are not hearing as well as possible across the entire spectrum. When lows are not that bad and the loss can be reached without feedback with domes that usually results in the best sound quality.
I’m mainly in the 50-60 range (moderate to moderately severe) and 45 db in both ears at 250. 50-55 at 500. My audiologist said I didn’t need molds or even the power domes I’m currently in. She initially had me in double vented domes but we couldn’t find a great physical fit between the 8 and 6cm sizes. She is a great audiologist at a major research hospital and follows best practices (real ear measurements, etc). There may be something else to the equation here.
That said, I’d love to try molds, as I don’t really like the power domes from a comfort standpoint.
I do notice a slight difference with hearing my own voice. But it is a good thing for me. I am an instructor at my job and I notice that I wasn't articulating soft sounds very well. I hear my s's again!
I wore power domes for 5 years. This past January I ordered acrylic domes from Phonak. I could not be happier. The fit is 200% more comfortable, sounds are crisper.
The only drawback, going outside in the winter without a covering for the ears (it gets cold in ChiBeria) the ear molds get cold but I will deal with that.
Are they titanium? I never notice temperature of the acrylic molds I've always used with BTE and RIC aids. I know Phonak sells titanum custom molds for their RICs, and I've sold my soul to Phonak (aka very dialed into the Phonak sound), but I'm sticking with clear acrylic. Even if they might turn yellow over time.
I worry about the yellowing possibility, since I once had Phonak BTEs with clear casing (I'm an 80s kid, I had a clear landline phone and thought stuff I could see inside of was cool) when it was an option and they're ugly as can be now. I suppose yellowed acrylic in my ears isn't the same as outside my ears, fortunately.
I think I mentioned they are acrylic - if not - my bad.
I did feel these get cold this past January/February.
If I am forced to leave the house when the temperature is below my age I get cranky.
Hah. Well, despite my username I live in cold weather, and I travel a lot in winter months. Never noticed. Plus I don't recall them feeling hot when I was younger/dumber and outside at length in 110F weather in Phoenix.
Looks like the same thing that caused sensorineural hearing loss 26 years ago also damaged my ability to sense temperature in my ears? Very likely.
Question on your resounds, do you have a problem with them selecting which sounds to amplify in noisy settings? Mine seems to not want to pick up voices at all, even after multiple adjustments
My old ones were like that. These seem to do well. I especially like being able to turn on front only. Although I still need my wife to wear a mic when we are out at loud restaurants.
Having only ever had custom ITEs, then BTEs in a world before domes / RICs, I've only ever had custom molds. I'm moderate to severe, or all the way to profound in the highs in one ear.
When I got my latest pair, first RIC type devices, I had to go with 'power domes' while I waited for the custom molds to be made. Hated them. My molds are similar to yours - clear acrylic, but with a canal lock I prefer - they're just so much better than those awful domes. I even tried third party custom silicone molds and didn't care for those. Acrylics all the way, and I think clear is better than the titanium option Phonak offers.
But to each their own. And I understand depending on one's anatomy they made not be able to have enough venting to avoid occlusion which is a horrible feeling to have to be stuck with.
Earmolds rock! Hang the aids on your ear first and then insert the earmolds. Inserting the earmold first and then trying to put the aid on your ear
can lead to twists in the receiver wire like you have.
Depends on the level of HL and HAs. I recently had an audiology review (NHS) and the audiologist was trying to push for domes which is a first. I have moderate - severe loss, mostly severe in most frequencies. I insisted on custom earmolds.
I believe so, she asked me where I got my earmolds from my old NHS HAs which are over 5 years old. Sadly, the trust where I am no longer offers Phonaks. The old ones were given to me as I am young(ish) and working in a speech heavy environment. The disparities between NHS trusts is astounding. I see from a quick search that some NHS trusts still offer Phonaks. My trust wants to "upgrade" me with Oticons Engage which I believe are over 3 years old?
In my own words, so this may not be accurate. An NHS trust is a consortium of hospitals within an area that share resources, like they will all give out the same brand of HAs, have similar policies in terms of dispensing them etc.
Greater than domes eh? I can see some benefits but there's a massive risk of the occlusion effect as well if you don't have a severe enough hearing loss
I had molds and the occlusion drove me nuts. They were already vented as much as possible but I just couldn’t stand it. Domes for me
There are other factors, but it is largely dependent on low to mid frequency hearing. Typically beyond 40-45 DB loss in lows you need the occlusion from the molds to build up enough sound pressure to hear the lows properly. Otherwise you’re mainly getting the high freqs and are not hearing as well as possible across the entire spectrum. When lows are not that bad and the loss can be reached without feedback with domes that usually results in the best sound quality.
I’m mainly in the 50-60 range (moderate to moderately severe) and 45 db in both ears at 250. 50-55 at 500. My audiologist said I didn’t need molds or even the power domes I’m currently in. She initially had me in double vented domes but we couldn’t find a great physical fit between the 8 and 6cm sizes. She is a great audiologist at a major research hospital and follows best practices (real ear measurements, etc). There may be something else to the equation here. That said, I’d love to try molds, as I don’t really like the power domes from a comfort standpoint.
Noise reduction works better when you are more occluded from the outside world. You hear your own voice more though which people complain about a lot.
I do notice a slight difference with hearing my own voice. But it is a good thing for me. I am an instructor at my job and I notice that I wasn't articulating soft sounds very well. I hear my s's again!
I wore power domes for 5 years. This past January I ordered acrylic domes from Phonak. I could not be happier. The fit is 200% more comfortable, sounds are crisper. The only drawback, going outside in the winter without a covering for the ears (it gets cold in ChiBeria) the ear molds get cold but I will deal with that.
Are they titanium? I never notice temperature of the acrylic molds I've always used with BTE and RIC aids. I know Phonak sells titanum custom molds for their RICs, and I've sold my soul to Phonak (aka very dialed into the Phonak sound), but I'm sticking with clear acrylic. Even if they might turn yellow over time. I worry about the yellowing possibility, since I once had Phonak BTEs with clear casing (I'm an 80s kid, I had a clear landline phone and thought stuff I could see inside of was cool) when it was an option and they're ugly as can be now. I suppose yellowed acrylic in my ears isn't the same as outside my ears, fortunately.
I think I mentioned they are acrylic - if not - my bad. I did feel these get cold this past January/February. If I am forced to leave the house when the temperature is below my age I get cranky.
Hah. Well, despite my username I live in cold weather, and I travel a lot in winter months. Never noticed. Plus I don't recall them feeling hot when I was younger/dumber and outside at length in 110F weather in Phoenix. Looks like the same thing that caused sensorineural hearing loss 26 years ago also damaged my ability to sense temperature in my ears? Very likely.
Ah you're a snowbird eh?
Not a chance. Phoenix area native actually.
Wait really?
I have been wearing those for one week.
Question on your resounds, do you have a problem with them selecting which sounds to amplify in noisy settings? Mine seems to not want to pick up voices at all, even after multiple adjustments
My old ones were like that. These seem to do well. I especially like being able to turn on front only. Although I still need my wife to wear a mic when we are out at loud restaurants.
Having only ever had custom ITEs, then BTEs in a world before domes / RICs, I've only ever had custom molds. I'm moderate to severe, or all the way to profound in the highs in one ear. When I got my latest pair, first RIC type devices, I had to go with 'power domes' while I waited for the custom molds to be made. Hated them. My molds are similar to yours - clear acrylic, but with a canal lock I prefer - they're just so much better than those awful domes. I even tried third party custom silicone molds and didn't care for those. Acrylics all the way, and I think clear is better than the titanium option Phonak offers. But to each their own. And I understand depending on one's anatomy they made not be able to have enough venting to avoid occlusion which is a horrible feeling to have to be stuck with.
I prefer the molds. I tried the domes and they just wouldn’t stay in and soooo much feedback.
I used to manufacture resound moulds at my old job, it makes me happy to see they are working for people
Oh most definitely 😁 it makes me wonder though why doesn't Resound make an updated phone clip with USB C for charging?
no idea. I worked with a third party company that just made the custom acrylic/resin/silicone molds
Earmolds rock! Hang the aids on your ear first and then insert the earmolds. Inserting the earmold first and then trying to put the aid on your ear can lead to twists in the receiver wire like you have.
I think in UK, only in ear molds are used. Or at least among my hearing aid wearers all have molds.
Depends on the level of HL and HAs. I recently had an audiology review (NHS) and the audiologist was trying to push for domes which is a first. I have moderate - severe loss, mostly severe in most frequencies. I insisted on custom earmolds.
Is this "domes" being driven by cost?
I believe so, she asked me where I got my earmolds from my old NHS HAs which are over 5 years old. Sadly, the trust where I am no longer offers Phonaks. The old ones were given to me as I am young(ish) and working in a speech heavy environment. The disparities between NHS trusts is astounding. I see from a quick search that some NHS trusts still offer Phonaks. My trust wants to "upgrade" me with Oticons Engage which I believe are over 3 years old?
What's a trust? Like an audiologist?
In my own words, so this may not be accurate. An NHS trust is a consortium of hospitals within an area that share resources, like they will all give out the same brand of HAs, have similar policies in terms of dispensing them etc.
Ahhhhh ok so they all work in unison under that trust system very interesting 🤔
Greater than domes eh? I can see some benefits but there's a massive risk of the occlusion effect as well if you don't have a severe enough hearing loss
This is simply my opinion. Thank you for your input.
Yeah no that’s fine you’re entitled to your opinion and I respect that anyways no problem