Earmolds | Mold Types
From material rigidity to seal and severity of hearing loss, this quick guide can help you choose the right earmold for your patient.
View Earmold Selection Guide (PDF 544KB)
Receiver Mold:
Shown in Blue Lucite
The Receiver mold is used with an external receiver that is snapped into the mold. Appropriate applications include: body aids, stethoscopes, anesthesiologists scopes and other listening devices.
Shell Mold:
Shown in Blue Lucite
The Shell mold (sculpted) is exceptionally sturdy and lightweight and is recommended for fitting moderate and severe hearing losses. It provides an effective seal to reduce the likelihood of feedback and occlusion.
Half Shell Mold:
Shown in Brown Lucite
The Half Shell mold offers a comfortable and lightweight fit. Its size provides easy insertion and removal. Because of its smaller size and lack of a helix area, the Half Shell is not recommended for fitting severe hearing losses.
Canal Mold:
Shown in Clear Lucite
The Canal mold is the second smallest mold available and offers superior comfort and cosmetic appeal. Canal earmolds require a long ear canal for good retention. Because of its size, the Canal mold is not recommended for fitting severe hearing losses.
Canal Lock Mold:
Shown in Brown Lucite
The Canal Lock mold is similar to the Canal mold with an added protrusion in the concha. It is designed to be small and inconspicuous like a Canal mold, but with better retention. The Canal Lock is also not recommended for fitting severe hearing losses.
Skeleton Mold:
Shown in Red Lucite
The Skeleton mold is the most popular earmold available because it provides maximum comfort and retention. It is appropriate for fitting mild to severe hearing losses and can be easily modified to other styles.
CIC Mold:
Shown in Clear Lucite
CIC (completely-in-the-canal) earmolds are hidden in the ear canal and provide for discreet fittings. This is the smallest earmold available. Available in all materials.
Non-Occluding A Mold:
Shown in Flesh Lucite
Non-Occluding A molds provide a retention ring for the tube without occluding the ear. Style A differs from B in that the canal portion is finished with material the length of the tube. Non-Occluding A molds are recommended for patients with normal hearing to 1500 Hz, or for patients who use tinnitus maskers or CROS instruments.
Open Fit (EF) Mold:
Shown in Clear Lucite
Open Fit EF molds are a hollow canal shell style in hard acrylic that supports thin tube fittings done with stereolithography scanning. Tubing fits Destiny OTE (on-the-ear) hearing instruments. Some other custom tube holders may be used depending on size. A Canal Lock version is also available for added retention. Select-a-vent option is also available.