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The custom earmold couples your hearing instrument
to your ear. Its purpose is to:
- Channel sound from the hearing instrument,
through the ear canal, to the eardrum.
- Secure the hearing instrument in place.
In
addition, a professionally-made and fitted custom earmold contributes
to the overall hearing experience by providing…
…physical
comfort
Custom made
for your ear, the earmold should fit so perfectly that, after
an initial adjustment period, you won't know you're wearing it.
…sound
control
The well-fitted
custom earmold directs sound from your hearing instrument to
your ear without feedback (a whistling noise). This allows you
to hear, comfortably and unobtrusively, the sounds and voices
you want to hear.
…enhancement
of sound quality
Your
hearing healthcare professional can modify your custom earmold in
ways that:
- Contribute to the overall acoustic performance
of your hearing instrument in the low and high frequencies to
enhance your hearing ability.
- Contribute to your comfort by relieving and
equalizing pressure in the ear canal.
Clean the earmold daily
- Wipe the earmold daily with a dry, soft cloth.
- Always check the opening of the earmold to
be sure it is not clogged with ear wax. A clogged opening will
prevent sound from reaching your ear.
About
once a week, the earmold should be washed.
You can use a mild soap and water, or there are many commercial
preparations on the market; ask your hearing healthcare professional
for a recommendation.
- Very important! The hearing instrument itself
should never be washed or allowed to get wet. To wash the earmold,
remove it from the hearing instrument by grasping the tubing
and pulling it away from the earhook which is attached to the
hearing instrument.
- After washing the earmold, rinse it thoroughly.
- Dry the earmold completely, before re-attaching
it to the hearing instrument. For example, after shaking most
of the water from the tubing, let it dry overnight, or use an
inexpensive bulb-blower.
Note: Never dry your earmolds or hearing instrument in a microwave
oven or with a heated blow dryer.
To
reattach the earmold to the hearing instrument:
Make sure the curve of the earmold matches that of the hearing
instrument (as shown in the illustration).
Consult
your hearing healthcare professional, if:
- The earmold causes pain or discomfort.
- Ear wax cannot be cleared from the earmold.
- The tubing becomes yellow or brittle.
- The hearing instrument whistles, preventing
adequate volume.
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