Custom Hearing Aids: The Perfect Solution for a Comfortable and Discreet Fit
What Are Custom Hearing Aids?
Custom hearing aids are personalized devices made from an impression of your ear. Unlike standard hearing aids, they’re tailored to fit your exact ear shape and size.
Unlike custom earmolds, which are custom pieces designed to be attached to a standard device to help with the comfort of fit, custom hearing aids have all the components of a hearing aid incorporated into the part that sits inside your ear. This means there would be nothing on top of or behind your ear at all!
How They’re Made
To get a precise fit, a hearing professional takes an impression of your ear using a wet material that hardens to make a mold of your ear. Then, that mold is used to build a shell that fits your ear’s exact shape.
Custom fit hearing aids are made for a snug, perfect fit with no gaps, which means they deliver clear, natural sound. Not to mention, they’re discreet, too.
Benefits of Custom Hearing Aids
Discreet and nearly invisible designs
Some custom hearing aids are designed to sit deep within your ear canal, making them far less noticeable than traditional behind-the-ear styles.
They often blend in naturally with your skin tone, too, offering subtle hearing support.
Secure and comfortable fit
Because they’re molded specifically for your ears, custom hearing aid styles fit like a glove.
This personalized design means they stay in place comfortably without you noticing them, even during exercise.
Natural sound quality
Custom hearing aids use the natural curves of your ear to help funnel sound more efficiently and naturally.
This enhances sound clarity and makes it easier to focus on what you want and need to hear.
Easier use with glasses and masks
Since they fit entirely in your ear, custom hearing aids don’t compete for space behind your ears — a great option if you regularly wear glasses, face masks, or hats.
Custom Hearing Aid Styles
Explore 3 Custom Hearing Aid Styles From Signia
Other Custom Hearing Aid Options
Widex Moment Custom CIC: A nearly invisible CIC device with Widex’s signature PureSound technology. It reduces sound processing delays, giving you a clearer, more natural listening experience.
Rexton BiCore Custom Li: A rechargeable in-the-ear hearing aid built for all-day use. It improves speech clarity in noisy places and supports direct Bluetooth streaming.
The rechargeability is especially helpful if fiddling with batteries is a concern. At night, you would simply drop these hearing aids into their charger, and they're ready to go when you are the following day.
Are Custom Hearing Aids Right for You?
If you aren’t sure if custom or standard hearing aids are right for you, take time to consider your lifestyle and type of hearing loss.
Custom-mold hearing aids are a great option for people who:
Want a discreet look
Those who prefer a nearly invisible hearing aid that blends into their skin color and ear.Are active
The snug, personalized fit makes them less likely to shift or fall out during exercise or movement.Wear glasses, masks, or helmets
Since custom devices sit fully in the ear, they don’t interfere with other gear.Want increased comfort
Anyone who finds standard hearing aids uncomfortable or irritating may benefit from a custom mold.Want clear, natural sound
Because the custom mold is designed to precisely fit the ear, it delivers sound without gaps and leaks and more easily blocks out background noise.Has difficulty manipulating small objects
Because there is no piece behind the ear, and the custom hearing aid is designed to slide right into your ear, often this choice is easier to use and is ideal for those with problems with dexterity.
Additionally, many modern customs are rechargeable, so you don't even need to worry about opening and closing tiny battery doors anymore.
Considerations Before Choosing Custom Hearing Aids
Cost
Custom hearing aids are made specifically for your ears, so they often cost more than standard models. This added cost reflects the personalized design and specialized manufacturing process.Battery life and features
Completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids may have shorter battery life due to their compact size.
They might also offer fewer advanced features than larger models, such as those that sit behind the ear, although hearing aid technology continues to improve each year.
Size
If you have arthritis, limited hand strength, or trouble with fine motor skills, the small size of some custom hearing aids, like the CIC or the IIC form factors, could make them harder to insert, remove, or clean. Larger styles may be easier to handle.Earwax
Custom hearing aids sit deeper in the ear canal, which means they can be exposed to more earwax.
Regular cleaning and check-ups with a hearing care provider help keep them working their best.
Types of hearing loss
Custom hearing aids are not for everyone.
For people with hearing loss in only high pitches, your provider may advise that a behind the ear hearing aid that doesn't block up your canal entirely will sound more natural. This is because it harnesses your natural hearing ability where there's no loss, and provides support only where the ear needs help.
Custom hearing aids also may not be the best fit for severe or complex hearing losses. Following your hearing test, be sure to ask your audiologist if this is the right solution for you! Your audiologist will be able to advise you based on your specific hearing needs.
How to Get a Custom Hearing Aid
Step 1: Schedule a hearing test
Step 2: Get a custom ear impression
Step 3: Choose your features
Step 4: Fitting and fine-tuning
Why Custom Hearing Aids May Be the Right Choice for You
Custom hearing aids are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a hearing solution built around their exact ear shape and individual hearing needs.
While they may cost a bit more than standard models, the benefits of comfort, security, and advanced features often make them worth the investment. If this solution is recommended for your hearing loss type and specific ear, the benefits of comfort, security, and advanced features make it a worthy option.
