Earmolds are made of either plastic or silicone and custom-fit so that they sit snugly and precisely within the ear canal. They generally have small vents in them to let air through. 

Depending on the type and degree of hearing loss, and the anatomy of the ear, the earmold can be canal size (small), half-shell size (medium) or full-shell size (large). The kind of earmold you wear also depends on your personal preference, the shape and texture of your ear, and your specific hearing aid. 

For people who have trouble hearing at low frequencies or across all frequencies, earmolds deliver better sound because they fit snugly inside the ear. The snug fit keeps amplified sound from traveling back outside the canal and creating a feedback loop, which is a high-pitched whistling that's caused as the amplified sound leaks out and gets reamplified.

Earmolds are usually best for hearing loss across the entire speech spectrum.  People who are already accustomed to wearing hearing aids may prefer the earmold style, while first time hearing aid users often opt for hearing aid domes because they are more comfortable, have less occlusion, and are easily changed.

Since ears come in all shapes and sizes, it's important to have a hearing healthcare professional customise an earmold to fit the unique shape of your ear. These devices must be tight enough to prevent sound from leaking out and creating feedback—but not so tight they cause pain.

The customization process is painless and includes making an impression of your ear canal and outer ear with a soft molding compound, much like a dentist would use to take an impression of your teeth. 

Over time, ears and moulds can change shape, so make sure you get the audiologist to check regularly for changes.
Some of the common problems earmold users can experience include:

• Your own voice sounds muffled. Because the earmold blocks the ear canal, users may notice their voices sound muffled, much like during a bad cold. This is known as the occlusion effect and can be managed with earmold modifications or hearing aid circuit changes.
• Your own voice sounds too loud. When a hearing aid user complains their own voice sounds too loud, the earmold may need a larger vent.
• Feedback or whistling. If the vent in the earmold is too large or in the wrong place, sound can leak through and cause feedback. Your hearing healthcare professional can address this problem by attaching a small handle called a “canal lock” that will hold the earmold more securely in place, preventing feedback. 
  

Domes are small, bell- or mushroom-shaped silicone pieces that attach to the end of hearing aid tubing and fit deep in the ear canal. They come in different shapes and sizes to accommodate the unique twists and turns of each individual’s ear canal.

They're usually used with behind-the-ear styles of hearing aids referred to as either receiver in the canal (RIC) or receiver in the ear (RITE). Your hearing healthcare professional helps you pick which size of dome and length of tubing is best suited for the width and length of your ear canal.

Hearing aids with domes are best for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, especially those with high frequency hearing loss—the most common type of age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis.

Hearing aids with domes are generally best for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

RIC or RITE hearing aid devices are typically small, with a microphone and processor that fits in a small case and rests behind the ear. The speaker is attached to the processor by a thin tube or wire, and it's meant to fit deep inside the ear canal.

This style of hearing aid is not recommended for those with severe-to-profound hearing loss; instead, a behind-the-ear device using earmolds is often more suitable. Earmolds provide the most powerful amplification and are less susceptible to moisture damage from the ear canal.

Although, in a lot of cases it comes down to personal preference. 

Pros
One of the biggest advantages to wearing a dome is the way it fits inside the ear canal.

The important thing about hearing aids is we must vent the hearing device so the ears don’t get occluded. This allows some natural sound and airflow to come into the ear. Domes are open enough to let low frequencies come through so the hearing aid amplifies higher frequencies and you can hear more clearly. That’s how we get better high frequencies without acoustic feedback.

Domes are easily cleaned by wiping them with a soft cloth each night after use. Because some hearing aid manufacturers share dome styles and sizes, they are also relatively inexpensive to replace.


Cons
they don’t last forever, and domes must be changed every two to three months. And if a person isn’t careful, it can get stuck in their ear if they are in a hurry or too lazy.

To prevent problems, talk to your audiologist about how often to change your hearing aid domes and how to take care of them. Never use old domes on new hearing aids. They're not always compatible and can become stuck in someone's ear canal if they don't stay attached to the receiver.

Also, domes are susceptible to damage from wax or moisture in the ear. Lastly, their small size can be problematic for those with dexterity issues.

work with your hearing care professional to find the device that best addresses their particular hearing needs. An improper fit can affect your ability to hear clearly as well as cause pain or discomfort.

No two people process sound the same way so it’s important to make that determination on a case-by-case basis.

(Source: healthyhearing.com)

Why Men's Health?

All this emphasis on the health of boys and men - what's that about?  They're alright, aren't they?

In many cases, the answer is no.

A boy born in Australia in 2010 has a life expectancy of 78.0 years while a baby girl born at the same time could expect to live to 82.3 years old.  Right from the start, boys suffer more illness, more accidents and die earlier than their female counterparts.
Men's Health Month has a direct focus on the health impacts of men's and boys' environments.  It serves to ask two questions:

• What factors in men's and boy's environments contribute to the status of male health as indicated in the table above?
• How can we turn that around and create positive environments in men's and boy's lives?

(Sources: www.menshealthweek.org.au
                unicity-ec.com
             & bell-wellness.com)

People spend an average total of 2.5 days every year looking for lost belongings such as remote controls, mobile phones, car keys and eyeglasses, one survey indicates.

And while two-thirds of us annually spend as much as $50 to replace these items, the cost can be much higher for those who lose their hearing aids.

“It’s not as uncommon as you might think,” says Dr. Melissa Danchak, AuD, of Kos/Danchak Audiology and Hearing Aids in Arlington, Texas. “We usually see three or more people per month who lose their hearing aids. In January, I counted eight people who lost them.”

Her clinic dispenses as many as 50 hearing aid units each month. With each prescription, Dr. Danchak includes suggestions for keeping track of their new devices.


Good hearing aid habits is key

“Generally, people lose their hearing aids because they don’t develop a routine,” she said. “When I’m dispensing the hearing aids, I first tell them to wear their hearing aids all their waking hours. If they’re in their ears, they’re less likely to lose them. If the hearing aids are placed in their box/charger when they are removed, they won’t get lost. Developing good habits is important to prevent loss.”

That means taking a few extra steps, even if you’re tired and want to take a nap. It’s easy to knock the aids off a side table or counter and into the sink. Women should consider keeping a designated hearing aid container in their purses so they have a recognizable container to put them in when they take them out when not at home.

Those who don’t follow Dr. Danchak’s advice often lose their hearing aids—or find them in the most unlikely places.

“I had one man who stuck his hearing aids in his pocket along with his keys. When he pulled his keys out of his pocket, guess what happened?,” she said. “I had another patient who took out her hearing aid while she was reading and set it next to the peanuts she was eating. All of the sudden, she took a bite that crunched a bit differently. Fortunately, she didn’t swallow anything.”


Hearing aids end up in the strangest places

Hearing aids have been known to accidentally fall out of the ears, too. One patient told Dr. Danchak he found his hearing aid several months later in the bottom of his dishwasher while another said she retraced her steps and found her hearing aid in a parking lot. Remarkably, both units were unharmed and continued to work properly.

"The biggest thing I stress is to put the hearing aids in a safe place when they’re not in your ears — especially if you have a dog." 

But the biggest reason for hearing aid loss? Dr. Danchak said it’s because the family dog uses it as a chew toy. “That’s what we see the most often,” she said. "The biggest thing I stress is to put the hearing aids in a safe place when they’re not in your ears— especially if you have a dog. You may not have a dog, but if you visit a family member and they have a dog, remember that and be conscientious. And make sure the container closes really well. You don’t want your pet swallowing any part of a hearing aid.”


Watch your batteries, too

The tiny button batteries found in hearing aids and plenty of other devices can be tempting to pets and little children. If you suspect a child has swallowed a battery, immediately call 000.  As a local news station reported, these kind of incidences are on the rise, with more and more kids needing medical care after swallowing small objects. 


What to do if you lose your hearing aids

Of course, even the most diligent people can lose a hearing aid. If it happens to you, Dr. Danchak recommends checking with your provider to see if you can have a loaner while you look for your lost unit. But don’t look forever, she cautions. Although most homeowners’ insurance does not cover hearing aids, your devices are covered if they're under warranty for loss. And while replacement costs can be inconvenient, restoring your prescription sooner rather than later is important to your hearing health.

“How long they look for it depends on the circumstances,” Dr. Danchak said. “If they lost it at home, I tell them to give it a week before they replace it. If they lost it out and about, they should probably replace it immediately.”

So develop good habits about storing your hearing aids when they’re not in your ears, make sure they fit securely, and talk to your hearing health professional about any issues you may be having. Good hearing health habits begin by finding a hearing health practitioner you can trust and scheduling an annual hearing evaluation.



(Source: healthyhearing.com)