How do I know if I need new ear molds?

This is one of our most commonly asked questions. Children frequently need new ear molds every few months or at least yearly because they are growing. Parents might notice a gap at the back of the ear mold where it fills the bowl portion of the ear, this is a good indication that a child is ready for a new pair of ear molds.

In adults, although the ears will continue to grow, the change is more subtle. If the ear mold starts to feel loose in the ear or if you are experiencing more feedback than what is normal for you, it’s a good idea to check the fit of your ear mold with your audiologist.

Ear molds, even those that are fitting well, need tubing changes over time. When the ear mold tubing becomes hard or difficult to bend, call your audiologist for an appointment to have the ear mold retubed.

How often should I have my hearing tested?

Most people get their vision checked annually, and they always want to know if they should have hearing checked annually. Annual hearing evaluations are the best way to monitor your hearing for changes that may occur over time. If no change has been seen over a period of a few years, less frequent evaluations may be discussed with your audiologist.

If a person has known hearing loss, annual hearing evaluations are essential in order to track the loss and to help in decision making for assistive technology or amplification use. If a person is already using hearing aids, annual evaluations will ensure that the hearing aids are programmed to best reflect the person’s needs.

Drs. Amanda Samoluk and Kim Starkey are audiologists at the Warren Center in Bangor.