[gertlex]

I wear BTEs and got new earmolds made by phonak this past summer, but I'm in the US. I'd classify them as firm silicone, and doesn't seem 3d printed. Seems like the same material as the previous molds (which I wore for almost 8 years).

[pndy]

I'm asking because my mother is really unhappy with the quality of new mold and she says there's a difference in material. This new firm material rubs her auricle to the point she needs to apply some healing ointment now and then - it's a little bit too big.

Woman who accepted the order for replacement mold said that production plant uses now some kind manufacturing with printing and they also replaced soft silicone for this firm stuff. In fact it's the second new mold and despite her detailed notes on how and where to cut it so it wouldn't damage the ear, it seems they just did the job and sent it back to us.

[gertlex]

That's certifiably not fun :(

Not that one ever should have to do such for medical equipment, but wonder if someone could grind down the firmer stuff on the first new mold, assuming it was kept...

(Not really useful anecdote:) I remember circa 25 years ago, my audiologist had a benchtop grinding/buffing wheel that she'd take the earmolds to a few times when modifications were needed. Even at that young age, it was clear that grinding soft materials didn't work very well.