Making an ear impression

What are ear impressions?

Ear impressions & ear moulds are the model imprints of your ear . These are required to customise all custom ear plugs and In-Ear hearing aids to make sure the final product fits perfectly and provides optimal sound isolation and comfort.

When taking ear impressions or ear moulds, medical-grade silicone material will be gently injected into your outer ear. As the material hardening it captures the details of your ear’s shape. Once the ear mold impression material has cured, it is delicately taken out. This process takes approximately 10 minutes.

An art worth mastering

Good impression taking is an art that benefits patient satisfaction and your bottom line.

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Step 1: Examine the ear

The first thing you want to do is examine the ear, preferably with a video otoscope.

  1. Look for blockage or wax that might interfere.
  2. Look for abnormalities or growths.
  3. Get a good sense of the ear’s diameter.
  4. Ensure it’s clean before going any further.

Step 2: Insert the otoblock

The size and type of otoblock you use makes a big difference in the outcome of your impression.

  1. In most cases, we recommend using cotton, not foam, and flaring it before insertion.
  2. Properly brace your hand against patient’s head.
  3. Use your otoscope and a curette to guide the block past the second bend of the ear canal and place it as close as possible to the eardrum.
  4. Once placed, check your work by inspecting the perimeter of the otoblock with your otoscope to ensure there are no gaps.
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Step 3: Take the impression

Consider the shore of the silicone you use. In general, medium is recommended as it allows for good definition of landmarks and is pliable enough for easy removal.

  1. Insert the tip and leave in for about three seconds until the silicone starts coming out around the end of the impression gun tip.
  2. Let the material flow and fill naturally — keeping tip movement to a minimum. Make sure to fill the entire concha and capture the tragus.
  3. Make sure to fill the helix and go up the triangular fossa, regardless of the product or earmold style you are ordering.

Step 4: Remove the impression

Wait five to eight minutes for the impression to cure before removing from each ear.

  1. Test the silicone with your fingernail to ensure it’s not wet.
  2. Break the vacuum seal before removal by gently pulling forward on the ear while asking the patient to make a chewing motion.
  3. Keep gently pulling on the ear while twisting the impression towards the nose.
  4. Grab the string simultaneously while pulling the impression out slowly.

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Step 5: Evaluate the impression

A good impression will be as deep as possible, have minimal gaps and voids, and give us as complete a picture as possible of the patient’s ear.