A comparison of three types of earmoulds in elderly users of post-aural hearing aids.

The objective of this study was to assess the ease of handling, comfort, and general effectiveness of three types of earmould in patients who, due to their age, could be expected to experience handling difficulties. The three mould types were, meatal tip, skeleton and skeleton with the 'top prong' removed. The results indicated that the skeleton with the top prong removed was the best in all contexts but one. It was easiest and quickest to fit and least likely to be badly fitted. Only in feedback control did it perform less well. It was concluded that it should be routinely used for elderly patients fitted with low gain hearing aids.