Our outer portion of our ears do change over time. Those wearing custom-made In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids or custom-made earmolds that are connected to behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are made from ear impressions of your ears. This provides the amplified sound to be routed adequately into your ear, at the correct angle, and eventually at the eardrum. While wearing your custom-made hearing aids or earmolds, over a few years, custom-made devices no longer fit as they once did, causing the hearing aids to squeal, also known as feedback. Because the device(s) are not as snug as the first day you were fit with them, the amplified sound leaks out around the device(s), and the microphone picks it up causing that annoying squealing.
Think of your older hearing aids as older shoes; they were nice and snug when you were fit with them, but over time, they become loose. It is wise to see your Audiologist at least 3-4 times per year to ensure you are receiving the maximum benefit from your custom-made hearing aids that you invested in.
Thank you Monica for sharing this and for taking such great care of our patients at our Northfield office, Cardinal Hearing Center!
Thank you for sharing this Monica!
Very educational! Thank you Monica!!
Yes, it was very educational!
I didn’t know that about custom hearing aids. This was very informational!
Glad you enjoyed this Sarah!
Perfect analogy!
Yes, it was a perfect analogy!
They are like old shoes. I just had mine repaired for the 2nd time, and that makes them last…in the analogy we should do the same with our hearing devices.
Very good analogy with your shoes Dale!