It is the shell or the ear mould that is one of the most important parts of the equipment, as the fit of the aid will greatly affect its performance and acoustic feedback will occur if the aid is not a good fit.

The ear piece is crucial to the hearing aid, as it transmits the sound into your ear; if you look after it and clean it regularly it will ensure you obtain the best results from your hearing aid. A poor fitting ear mould may render your hearing aid useless. The ear mould is a vital part of a BTE hearing aid. It channels sound from the aid into your ear and can affect the quality of what you hear.

Factors that can improve the performance of your hearing aid

• The ear mould should fit comfortably, and tightly as it is intended to replicate the shape of your own ear.
• It must fit snugly and must be positioned accurately. If you are finding it difficult to do then use a mirror to fit it.
• If you have especially sensitive ears or you are allergic to the material your hearing aid or ear mould is made from then it can be made from a hypo-allergenic material which is less likely to inflame your ears.
• Care must be taken not to mix up the ear moulds, and also not to clean the same ear moulds with the same cleaning cloth or tools as cross contamination can occur between the ears.

What happens if the ear mould does not fit?

An ear mould must fit correctly for the hearing aid to work properly. If it does not fit you may be getting what is termed as “feedback”, the hearing aid will emit a whistle or a wheeze, when the amplified sound escapes. This occurs when

• The ear mould is not snug in the ear; push it in gently to see that it is sitting correctly.
• The tubing or the elbow is damaged.
• You have excess wax in your ears and they need syringing. Your audiologist can check your ears and advise you if there is a need to consult the doctor or the nurse for wax removal.