Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
A set of nineteen hearing aid earmoulds as well as three plastic “female” hearing aid adapters. The earmoulds differ in size, material, type, and attachment method. Four have integrated tubing; the remainder have snap ring attachments. One of these (2025.rehab.29.5) has a “male” adapter with a short length of tubing attached. One of the earmoulds (2025.rehab.29.4) is of a skeleton type with a large void. One (2025.rehab.29.3) has an additional vent drilled through it.
Many of the variety of earmoulds made of soft silicone have markings indicating their size, left or right handedness, and a patent marking.
These earmoulds could be used with the various behind the ear and body worn hearing aids in this collection.
A list of earmoulds in this collection, along with identifying details, is available in this .pdf document.
Accession Number: 2025.rehab.29.1-20
Alternative Name: Hearing Aid Earmolds
Primary Materials: Lucite, polyvinylchloride, or silicone
Markings:
Dimensions (cm):
A hearing aid earmould directs sound from a hearing aid into the ear canal. A properly made earmould closes off the ear canal, preventing sound distortion due to feedback. They are generally attached to the hearing aid receiver by a tube that conveys the sound. They are well suited for people with low frequency of full spectrum (flat) hearing loss.
Such earmoulds are custom made for each user, the fitting process typically involves the creation of an impression of the ear canal by an audiologist using a casting process. The cast is sent to a specialized workshop that creates a finished earmould. An audiologist may subsequently adjust, modify, or repair the earmould.
The items in this collection appear intact. Several may be slightly discoloured. All items were cleaned before they were catalogued and photographed.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer:
Date of Manufacture: c. 1970 to 2000
This artifact was among a number artifacts related to audiology and optometry collected from the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute at 130 Dunn Avenue on 6 December 2017.
Additional Information and References:
Historical Notes: