Getting a perfect fit on your custom in-ear monitors starts with getting great impressions or molds of your ears. When our instructions are followed (find them here), we have a higher than 95% fit rate. If you happen to fall into less than 5%, DON’T WORRY! We’ll work with you to make them right!
There are a lot of variables when making a good set of impressions. Making good sealing in-ear monitors depend on great impressions so reducing as many variables as possible is important.
What Can I Expect When Getting Ear Impressions for Custom IEMS?
Most hearing aid centers or audiologists will do a great job making impressions for custom in-ears. Our instructions have some guidelines about which material to use and how to take the impression so make sure you take that to your hearing professional. The process is not painful and should only take 10-15 minutes. Prices for impressions vary so we recommend calling a few places to find the best pricing. Impressions of your ears for in-ear monitors generally cost around $50-75 per pair.
The Inner Ear Inspection
The first thing an audiologist, hearing aid center, or trained impression taker will do is inspect your ear. They are looking for wax that might be blocking the ear canal, eardrum health, and ear anatomy. Wax in your ear canal is actually a good thing, but when it blocks the ear canal, we can’t get a good impression so you may need to get a professional cleaning. But this is fairly rare. And we’ve seen everything so don’t be nervous about this part!
The Ear Canal Protector
Next, a small foam ball is placed in your ear canal. This will both protect your ear from the impression material AND set the depth of the impression. To make a good in-ear monitor, we want to see that the impression goes to…
The Second Bend
Every person’s ear is different. It’s quite a marvel actually. The size, shape, and length of canals vary from person to person and even from ear to ear. No two are exactly alike, including on the same person!
We need the ear impression to go past the first bend, which is usually just inside the canal opening to the second bend. We will trim off a lot of this material but getting to the second bend gives us enough material to make a great seal.
The Bite Block
Using a one-inch bite block in the front of your mouth is critical to the in-ear making process. A bite block does two things.
A bite block keeps your jaw stationary. As the impression material enters your ear canal, it starts to expand, pressing softly against the tissue in your ear canal. If your jaw is moving, the silicone material will cure in an odd way and may result in an uncomfortable monitor. It also causes the impression material to work out of your ear canal, resulting in an inaccurate mold.
Second, a bite block keeps your ear canals open. This will lead to a good seal with your monitors. If your monitors don’t press lightly into your canal tissue, a good seal is not possible. And a bad seal lets outside noise in and the sound you are trying to hear out.
The Impression Material
There are a number of materials that are used in making ear impressions. We require the use of a two-part silicone impression material. This material will not dry out or shrink over time or during shipping. It also can be administered into the ear with a tool allowing a void-free impression. We do not accept impressions that are made with powder and liquid.
The Impression Curing
The impression material, once in your ear will start to cure. It takes anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes to cure, depending on the material. There are many “formulas” of material with different properties. Most will expand slightly in your ear and you will hear some pops and crackles as it expands.
Once cured, the material will be a firm rubber-like impression that will not lose shape over time or during shipping. When they are cured, the hearing professional will take them out of your ears and give them to you. Send them to us (8700 Jefferson Hwy, Osseo, MN 55359) and we’ll get started on making your custom IEMS!
Detailing Your Ear Impressions
Once we get your impressions into the shop, we will scan them into a digital file. Our eDetailing process ensures the most accuracy and ability to make small changes down the road if necessary.
What Can Cause Fit Issues with Custom In Ear Monitors
The big question is… what can cause an in-ear monitor to fit poorly or not fit at all. There are a few factors in our control and a few that are out of our control that can impact your fit. Rest assured, if there is a fit issue, we will work with you to make sure your customs fit and seal well.
By using our impression instruction sheet, audiologists will help eliminate variables in the process. Even if all the guidelines are followed, there are a few things that might lead to your monitors needing an adjustment.
- Hard vs. Soft Canals
Some people have hard or bony ear canals and other people have softer ear canals. This means that the amount an impression material expands when curing may be different. We may have to make a slight adjustment after you try them. People with a harder canal might find their custom in-ears to be less comfortable at first as their ears get used to them. - Excessive weight gain or loss
With weight gain or loss, your ear canals may change shape. This is not usually a problem at the beginning, but you might notice a loss of seal after periods of weight gain or loss. If this happens, let us know. We can work with you! - Different impression materials
Some impression materials expand more than others, pressing against the canal tissue more or less. This might lead to an in-ear monitor that is too tight or too loose. No worries though, we can make adjustments. - Chewing or talking during the molding process
This can cause the impression material to cure while your ear canal is in an odd shape. It also tends to push impression material out of your ears. Please use a bite block and try not to talk during the curing process. - Hard bends in the ear anatomy
Sometimes, an ear canal will have a very hard bend which may make it difficult for a monitor to fit properly. If this is your case, we’ll work with you to adjust the monitors for the best fit.
Do I need an audiologist? Can you just send a kit?
We don’t send out kits for self-molding your ears. The reason is that 1) you can’t inspect the ear properly 2) It’s near impossible to get a self kit deep enough and 3) you run the risk of permanently damaging your hearing.
An audiologist or hearing aid center knows how to make a good impression and do hundreds a year. Self-kits rarely produce a satisfactory in-ear monitor.
Is a 3D ear scan better than a physical impression?
Not really. In fact, since a 3D scan does not distend the ear canal tissue, in many cases, a 3D impression is less accurate than a physical impression. If you do get a 3D scanned impression, please let us know so we can adjust your molds to compensate.
We hope this helps you understand the process of getting ear impressions made for your custom in ear monitors. If you have any questions about the process, please chat with us on this page, hit us up on social, or shoot us an email!