About Ear Molds…
I would like to mention the complaint experienced by our patient named M.C. regarding the ear mold he/she had made at our branch, and provide some general information about ear mold materials.
A custom ear mold in hearing aids is a specially designed piece that is tailored to fit the user’s ear. The ear mold can be made from silicone (bio-compatible mold) or acrylic material based on the user’s needs. (The choice of mold type is determined by an expert.)
Before discussing the patient’s complaint, I have listed the necessary materials for taking ear impressions below and included an example video related to the ear impression process. (I have added representative images as I do not have information about the brand quality or prices of the products. If my friends who have their own businesses or are knowledgeable about the topic can provide feedback, I would be happy. :)
Materials needed for taking ear impressions:
- Ear impression paste (otoform)
- Syringe
- Otoscope
- Illuminated probe
- Ear impression sponge (otoblok)
(The video above will be especially beneficial for my friends who are new to the profession. I find these kinds of global videos more useful.)
After the general information, I’m moving on to the topic I want to discuss at the end… :)
Paste and catalysts are fundamental materials for taking ear impressions. In the first and second images, we see two different types of paste and catalyst. The catalyst is necessary for the paste to solidify and the impression to be removed from the patient’s ear. The usage ratios of the catalysts in the two different images are different. The catalyst in the second image is adjusted based on the amount of paste used. However, as for the catalyst and paste seen in the first image, they should be used in a 1:1 ratio. Another crucial factor in taking ear impressions is the homogeneous mixing of the catalyst and paste. Regardless of the type of catalyst used, it should not be loaded into the syringe before achieving a homogeneous appearance.
As you know, silicone (biopor) molds should have a smooth appearance in the final stage. From the technical service (after taking the ear impression, the technical service refines the mold to its final form), when I received the ready-made mold of my patient named M.C., I noticed that there were rough spots on the silicone mold. Frankly, I thought there might be an issue with the technical service, so I opened a service request specifically addressing this and sent it back to the technical service. Later on, I received feedback from the technical service stating that if the paste is not homogeneously mixed, the silicone mold will have a rough texture (with tiny bubble-like spots on the surface). :) I realized that this knowledge I learned is an essential criterion, to say the least.
I have also included the steps after taking the ear impression below. Although they are not directly related to audiology, they might be useful videos for those who are curious…
I hope it has been an informative blog. :)
