The choice of earmould style is wide and varied. Many factors should be considered when selecting an earmould, such as: degree of hearing loss, age, dexterity, cosmetics and modification requirements. The following descriptions are designed to aid your selection process.
RIC Custom Mould
A customised RIC mould will commonly be used to overcome retention issues or improve comfort. Starkey Hearing Technologies RIC moulds made using soft materials ensure a receiver can be inserted and held in place firmly by the elasticity of the mould material. The standard format for this mould is a small and cosmetic meatal tip with a removal cord. If you would like a canal lock or a full shell version please request on your order. You can also order RIC moulds in hard materials. For non-Starkey products please specify model and include an appropriate RIC receiver with the order.
Remember that Starkey also manufactures RIC AP (Absolute Power) options for our own RIC solutions where very high power receivers are permanently integrated into a custom earmould.
Starkey Hearing Technologies also offer a stock universal fit RIC solution. Please contact your regional account manager for further details.
Thin Tube Custom Mould
For use with all micro-bore slim tube or thin tube products when the open fit configuration requires modification for improved gain, retention or feedback resolution. The standard format for this mould is a small and cosmetic meatal tip. If you would like a canal lock or a full shell version please request on your order. For non-Starkey products please specify model and include an appropriate thin tube with the order.
Starkey Hearing Technologies can now offer a stock universal ThinTube solution. Please contact your regional account manager for further details.
Full Shell
A customised RIC mould will commonly be used to overcome retention issues or improve comfort. Starkey Hearing Technologies RIC moulds made using soft materials ensure a receiver can be inserted and held in place firmly by the elasticity of the mould material. The standard format for this mould is a small and cosmetic meatal tip with a removal cord. If you would like a canal lock or a full shell version please request on your order. You can also order RIC moulds in hard materials. For non-Starkey products please specify model and include an appropriate RIC receiver with the order.
Remember that Starkey also manufactures RIC AP (Absolute Power) options for our own RIC solutions where very high power receivers are permanently integrated into a custom earmould.
Starkey Hearing Technologies also offer a stock universal fit RIC solution. Please contact your regional account manager for further details.
Carved Shell
The interior of the mould is carved out resulting in an ultra lightweight mould offering superb sealing properties even in deformed ears where retention is a problem. This type of mould in soft material is suitable for severe to profound losses, great for paediatrics and highly recommended for pronounced Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) movements.
Skeleton
The skeleton mould is inconspicuous and allows ventilation of the concha area. It is suitable for all but the most severe hearing losses.
Deluxe Sculptured Skeleton
Similar to the carved shell but in a skeletal form. This style offers superb sealing properties and is great for paediatrics.
Half Phantom
The interior of the mould is carved out resulting in an ultra lightweight mould offering superb sealing properties even in deformed ears where retention is a problem. This type of mould in soft material is suitable for severe to profound losses, great for paediatrics and highly recommended for pronounced Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) movements.
Half Shell
The half shell mould is comfortable with a minimum of bulk. The helix area is removed for ease of insertion and removal. This style may be chosen if there is difficulty inserting the mould or in the case of a very narrow helix, deformity in the helix area or for cosmetic reasons.
Canal Mould
The canal mould is the smallest possible. It is comfortable and cosmetically appealing. This type of style requires an impression with good in-canal retention features otherwise it may be difficult to build a mould that retains in the ear. This is suitable for patients with a deformed pinna, or who want a cosmetically appealing solution.
Canal Lock
The canal lock is similar to the canal mould but with a spur along the anti-tragal area to help anchor the mould in place. It is designed to be small and inconspicuous like the canal style but with superior retention.
Solid Receiver (Body Worn)
These will be used with body worn hearing aids and some types of FM radio hearing aids with an external receiver button which snaps into
the mould.
Open Moulds
These moulds are suitable for high frequency hearing losses where the low frequency hearing is normal. This style mould consists of a canal portion which just covers the sound tube leaving a large area of the ear canal unoccluded. These moulds are often used for retaining cochlear implants, tinnitus devices and cros systems on the ears.