Comfoor developed the Akouz Deep-Fit RIC to counteract occlusion and autophony. The Deep-Fit RIC mould is placed all the way to the bony part of the ear canal.
Occlusion and autophony
The Deep-Fit RIC sits deeper in the ear canal than a standard ear mould, in the 2nd bend (the bony part). Because of the limited residual cavity, sound gets transferred more naturally, without losing the high-frequency tones. The perfect fit of the ear mould prevents the bony part of vibrating along to the voice of the wearer. This way, occlusion is reduced to an absolute minimum and the wearer experiences a maximal sound spectrum. The limited residual cavity prevents standing waves in the ear canal.
Deep-Fit RIC moulds also counteract autophony. The earmold inhibits "direct sound" from the environment in favor of the "indirect sound" of the hearing aid. This way, disruptive sounds are counteracted, making features as audible as possible. It reduces the adaptation period of the wearer to a minimum, making it quicker to get to the desired end result.
The Deep-Fit RIC is produced as bikini version. With as little material as possible touching the ear canal, warmth is reduced in the ear. Lower frequencies get reduced, but not fully removed. Low-frequency tones are important to retain warmth in sound (music and speech), without the hearing aid having to amplify it.
Material
The Deep-Fit RIC is made from highly flexible silicone material (40 Shore), so the ear mould follows the movements of the bony part of the ear canal, for instance with jaw movements or changing facial expressions. The ear mould is finished with a matte lacquer, making it easy to place the ear mould.
Since the ear impression for a Deep-Fit RIC mould has to reach all the way to the bony part of the ear canal, it is important to use Akouz Light impression material. This material has a very low viscosity, reducing pressure buildup in the ear canal. This feature prevents your client from experiencing discomfort while taking impressions.
Requirements
The Deep-Fit RIC is not suitable for everyone. For instance, the ear mould cannot be used in case of narrow ear canals, a strongly curved ear canal and with extreme cerumen production. Akouz has a checklist with the requirements for choosing a Deep-Fit RIC mould.
