Starkey Custom Hearing Aid User Manual

Starkey Custom Hearing Aid

Specifications

• Product: Custom Hearing Aid Impression Kit
• Manufacturer: Ray Woodworth Center for Excellence, Starkey
• Recommended Otoblock Type: Medium Shore Silicone
• Curing Time: 5 to 8 minutes

Product Usage Instructions

Making an Impression

• Increase patient satisfaction and reduce returns by making quality ear impressions every time. Your professional expertise is critical when selecting the best solution for a patient.

Much more than meets the ear

• Consider various factors such as audiogram, dexterity, ear anatomy and history, and lifestyle when determining if a patient is a custom hearing aid candidate.

How to make an impression

Step 1: Examine the ear

• Use a video otoscope to examine the ear before starting the impression process.

Step 2: Insert the autoblock

• Choose the appropriate size and type of otoblock for the best impression outcome.

Step 3: Take the impression

• Use medium shore silicone for good definition and easy removal of the impression.

Step 4: Remove the impression

• Allow the impression to cure for 5 to 8 minutes before gently removing it from the ear.

Step 5: Evaluate the impression

• Ensure the impression is deep, without gaps or voids, to provide a complete picture of the patient’s ear.

FAQ

Q: What type of silicone is recommended for taking impressions?

A: Medium shore silicone is recommended as it offers good definition and easy removal.

Q: How long should I wait before removing the impression from the ear?

A: Wait for 5 to 8 minutes to allow the impression to cure properly before removal.

Making an Impression

A step-by-step guide

Increase patient satisfaction and reduce returns by making quality ear impressions every time.

Much more than meets the ear

• Your professional expertise is critical when selecting the best solution for a patient.
• Many factors and considerations come into play when determining if a patient is a custom hearing aid candidate, including:

Audiogram

• If their hearing thresholds are in a near-normal range, occlusion might be an issue.
• The patient may prefer an open-fit product like a RIC.

Dexterity

• Customs may be easier to put on and remove than a standard product, but can also be small with even smaller batteries.
• It’s a conversation to have with patients who have difficulty handling small objects.

Ear anatomy and history

• If the patient has narrow, curvy, or even extremely straight ear canals, a custom hearing aid may not be the appropriate solution for them.
• Patients who have recurrent ear infections and/or ear surgeries may not be good custom candidates either.

Lifestyle

• Does the patient wear glasses? Do they work in active environments? Is a noticeable hearing aid a deal breaker? Certain comfort, aesthetic, and occupational needs lend themselves better to custom devices.
• Ultimately, the patient has come to you to weigh all considerations—physical, audiological, and patient priorities—and recommend a solution that delivers both success and satisfaction.

Quality in quality out

• A superior custom product fitting starts with a high-quality ear impression. Making a perfect impression requires proper technique, attention to detail, and repetition.
• As custom hearing aid experts, we know a thing or two about making accurate, precision-tested impressions —and how good impressions can also be used to make earmolds, custom cases, hearing protection solutions, and more.
• This guide, developed with help from Starkey’s most experienced impression takers, shares best practice tips perfected from shooting thousands of impressions in our Center for Excellence.
• Scan the QR code or go to starkeypro.com for more education, including all our how-to videos.

How to make an impression

1. STEP 1 Examine the ear
   • The first thing you want to do is examine the ear, preferably with a video otoscope.
   • Look for blockage or wax that might interfere.
   • Check for abnormalities or growths.
   • Get a good sense of the ear’s diameter.
   • Ensure it’s clean before going any further.
   • Pro tip: Your video otoscope is your best friend—an indispensable tool for ear cleanings, impressions, and even patient acceptance.
2. STEP 2 Insert the autoblock
   • The size and type of otoblock you use make a big difference in the outcome of your impression.
   • Once placed, check your work by inspecting the perimeter of the otoblock with your otoscope to ensure there are no gaps.
   • Pro tip: Positioning yourself level to the ear, lifting the pinna, and pulling the tragus forward all help make it easier to see what you’re doing.
3. STEP 3 Take the impression
   • Consider the shore of the silicone you use. In general, the medium is recommended as it allows for a good definition of landmarks and is pliable enough for easy removal.
   • Insert the tip and leave it in for about three seconds until the silicone starts coming out around the end of the impression gun tip.
   • Let the material flow and fill naturally keeping tip movement to a minimum.
   • Make sure to fill the helix and go up the triangular fossa, regardless of the product or earmold style you are ordering.
   • Pro tip: To help eliminate gaps, voids, and ridges, keep the tip of the gun buried in material as you slowly pull it out.
4. STEP 4 Remove the impression
   • Wait five to eight minutes for the impression to cure before removing it from each ear.
   • Test the silicone with your fingernail to ensure it’s not wet.
   • Break the vacuum seal before removal by gently pulling forward on the ear while asking the patient to make a chewing motion.
   • Keep gently pulling on the ear while twisting the impression towards the nose.
   • Grab the string simultaneously while pulling the impression out slowly.
   • Pro tip: Don’t forget to look inside the ear one more time to ensure nothing is left over or injured.
5. 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.
   • Pro tip: Using a measuring tool may also help determine the right custom style for each patient.

Bad impression

Poor technique doesn’t provide landmark identification

Good impression

Good technique ensures a smooth impression and clear landmarks

Scan the QR code to watch

Ray Woodworth and Dr. Dave Fabry walk through the steps of taking a quality ear impression.

An art worth mastering

Good impression-taking is an art that doesn’t just benefit your patients — it provides advantages for you, too.

Patient benefits:

• A tighter acoustic seal for better feedback cancellation
• A more discreet, better-fitting device
• Optimized sound direction
• Opportunity for more power and gain
• Improved comfort and satisfaction

Professional benefits:

• Differentiates you from online services
• Helps you address each patient uniquely
• Results in fewer remakes and returns
• Enables you to offer earmolds, custom-cased options, sound protection, and other specialty solutions
• The Starkey logo is a trademark of Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
• ©2024 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2/24 P00004443 BKLT3213-00-EN-ST

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