Custom Earmolds
Earmolds come in a wide variety of sizes and types. Some earmolds are solid, and some are soft or spongy. As the name implies, custom earmolds are made custom to fit the unique contour of your ear, and are usually more comfortable than traditional earplugs. The most popular styles are full shell and half shell. Full shell earmolds are generally for high-level noise exposure, while half shell are for mid-level noise exposure. Custom earplugs come both with or without handles or detachable cords. The type of earmold your hearing professional recommends will depend on your individual needs.
Examples for Customized Earmolds
Surfers Molds – Decreases Surfer’s Ear
Surfer’s Ear is a condition of the ear canal of abnormal bone growth. After repeated exposure to wind and cold the bone can grow, thus closing off the opening. The condition is not limited to surfing and can occur in any activity with cold, wet, windy conditions such as kayaking, sailing, and diving. This can cause hearing loss and increased prevalence of ear infections. Custom made earplugs can help provide protection.
A ChEARS patient and avid surfer using his custom earplugs while surfing in San Diego.
Swim Molds – Prevents water from entering the ear
Swimmers Ear is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal brought on by continued dampness. Symptoms may be itching, pain or temporary hearing loss. One way of prevention is custom made swim molds. They are made and used for people who have holes in their ear drums, ear tubes, or who are sensitive to getting water in their ears while swimming or showering.
iPod or 3MP Custom Earpieces
Custom-Fit earpieces work with your original equipment earbuds. Your ears are unique as you are and nothing fits your ears quite as well as a custom-fit product.
- Stays in your ears and is comfortable
- Improves sound quality
- Blocks out unwanted ambient (background) noise
- Available in a wild assortment of custom colors
Bluetooth Products with Custom fit Earpieces
- Has better retention
- Reduces road noise
- Fits like a glove
- Good sound quality at lower volume setting
Musician Earpiece Monitors
- Eliminates feedback
- Onstage noise levels are lowered
- Vocal fatigue is reduced
- Allows musicians to hear with a clarity and crispness
- Designed for the most demanding artists
- Helps protect hearing
Ear Protection Molds (examples)
- Dentists – Decreases damaging high frequency drill noise
- Hunters – Ideal for shooters who want to be able to hear some sounds but be protected against loud sounds from firearms
- Musicians – Also for Concert Goers
- Sound quality is clear and natural not muffled
- Noise fatigue is reduced
- Can hear the music accurately but at a much safer volume
- Interchangeable filters for different noise environments
Earmolds And Ear Plugs
Sudden or prolonged exposure to noise can cause damage to your hearing and is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure is often detected too late, meaning the hearing loss is usually irreversible.
Any kind of noise exposure is potentially damaging to your hearing, whether your noise exposure comes from work environment or from leisure times which may include:
- Target shooters
- Motorcyclists
- Airline pilots
- Musicians
- Construction workers and factory workers
- Lawn mowers
- Truck engines
- Garbage trucks
- Chain saws
- Pneumatic drills
- Rock concerts
- Jet engines
- TO NAME A FEW
The truth is that anyone subject to noise exposure may need to wear hearing protection to protect their long-term hearing.
Some earmolds come with a filtered attenuator, allowing for verbal communication while still protecting hearing, which is popular with musicians. These types of earmolds come in both electronic and non-electronic models.
Though store-bought earplugs offer some protection, custom earmolds and earplugs offer maximum protection and a comfortable fit that is designed specifically for your ears. They offer more security in knowing that your ears have the best possible protection against hearing loss.
Whatever your unique lifestyle, your hearing professional has custom solutions to fit your needs. Your hearing is important! Take care to protect it for today and for the future. If you work in a high-noise environment, it’s important to have regular hearing appointments to check for early indications of hearing loss. Speak with your hearing specialist today about the right solution for you.