Otoscan Digital Ear Scanning vs. Traditional Impressions

For years, making custom hearing aids and earplugs started with the same process – squirting silicone putty into a patient's ears and waiting for it to harden. At Applied Hearing Solutions, we've upgraded to a much better approach: digital ear scanning with Otoscan technology. This modern method is changing how we create custom-fit hearing devices, making the entire process more comfortable and precise.

The Old Way: Traditional Ear Impressions

If you've ever had ear impressions made the traditional way, you probably remember the experience well. The audiologist places a small foam block deep in your ear canal (to protect your eardrum), mixes a silicone material, and injects it into your ear using a special gun. Then you sit perfectly still for several minutes while the material hardens, trying not to move your jaw.

When the material sets, the audiologist pulls it out, creating a physical mold of your ear canal. This mold then gets shipped to a manufacturer who uses it to create your custom hearing aids or earplugs.

This method has worked for decades, but it has clear drawbacks:

• Many patients find it uncomfortable or even anxiety-producing
• The silicone can sometimes miss important details of the ear canal
• The process is messy and time-consuming
• Shipping physical molds adds days to production time
• Some patients with very narrow ear canals struggle with the process

The New Way: Otoscan Digital Ear Scanning

At our Phoenix clinic, we've invested in Otoscan technology – a sophisticated digital scanning system that captures the exact shape of your ear canal using lasers instead of putty.

The device looks somewhat like a small handheld camera with a specialized tip. Our audiologist gently moves it around your ear canal, capturing thousands of precise measurements in just minutes. The scanner creates a detailed 3D model of your ear that appears immediately on our computer screen.

Why Patients Prefer Digital Ear Scanning

Much More Comfortable

The biggest advantage we hear from patients is comfort. Without having gooey material injected and hardening in your ear, the scanning process feels much less invasive. Many patients who disliked traditional impressions are pleasantly surprised by how quick and comfortable digital scanning feels.

More Accurate Fit

Otoscan creates incredibly detailed 3D models with sub-millimeter accuracy. The laser technology captures every contour of your ear canal, resulting in custom devices that fit better than ever before. This precision is especially valuable for patients who've struggled with fit issues in the past.

Faster Production Time

Traditional impressions require physical shipping to manufacturers, adding days to the production process. Our digital scans transmit electronically in seconds, allowing production to begin immediately. This means you get your custom hearing aids or earplugs faster.

Seeing Is Believing

One unexpected benefit? Patients love seeing the 3D model of their own ear canals. Our audiologists use these models to explain how custom devices will fit and function. Many patients find this visual explanation helps them better understand their hearing treatment.

Less Need for Adjustments

The precision of digital scanning significantly reduces the need for remakes due to poor fit. This means fewer follow-up appointments and adjustments, saving you time and ensuring you get a comfortable hearing solution from the start.

Future Convenience

We store your digital ear scans securely in our system. If you need replacement devices in the future, we can often use your existing scan data without requiring another impression, making reorders much more convenient.

What Can We Make With Digital Ear Scans?

Digital scanning improves the creation of virtually all custom hearing devices:

Custom Earmolds for Hearing Aids

For behind-the-ear hearing aids, custom earmolds connect the device to your ear canal. The precise fit achieved with digital scanning ensures maximum comfort and better sound delivery, reducing feedback problems and improving overall sound quality.

Custom In-Ear Hearing Aids

Smaller hearing aids that fit entirely in the ear canal must fit perfectly to be comfortable and effective. Digital scanning captures the exact dimensions needed for these discrete devices, allowing for better cosmetic results and improved performance.

Custom Hearing Protection

Whether you're a musician, hunter, industrial worker, or swimmer, custom hearing protection benefits greatly from the precise fit of digital scanning. A perfect seal is crucial for effective noise reduction or water exclusion, making the accuracy of Otoscan particularly valuable.

What to Expect During Your Digital Ear Scan

When you visit Applied Hearing Solutions for digital ear scanning, the process is straightforward:

1. We'll discuss your specific needs and determine what type of custom device would help you most.
   
2. Before scanning, we'll examine your ears to make sure they're free from excessive wax that might affect the scanning process.
   
3. Our audiologist will use the Otoscan device to capture detailed images of your ear canals. You'll need to sit still, but the process typically takes just a few minutes per ear.
   
4. We'll show you the 3D model of your ears on our computer screen and explain how your custom device will fit.
   
5. The scan data is securely transmitted to the manufacturer for production of your custom devices.
   
6. When your devices arrive, you'll return to our office for a fitting appointment to ensure everything works perfectly.
   

Real Ear Measurement: Getting the Most from Custom Devices

For hearing aid users, we pair our digital ear scanning with Real Ear Measurement verification. This critical step ensures your hearing aids deliver the exact amount of amplification needed for your specific hearing loss.

Using a tiny microphone placed in your ear canal while you're wearing your hearing aids, we measure the actual sound output and compare it to your prescription targets. This verification process helps maximize speech clarity and listening comfort in various environments.

Unlike many hearing clinics that skip this step and simply rely on manufacturer settings (essentially guessing at your prescription), our commitment to Real Ear Measurement ensures you get the full benefit of your custom hearing technology.

Why We've Invested in This Technology

At Applied Hearing Solutions, we believe our patients deserve the best possible experience and outcomes. Digital ear scanning represents a significant improvement over traditional methods, offering greater comfort, accuracy, and efficiency.

Dr. Cliff Olson and our team of audiologists are committed to following best practices and using the most advanced technology available. Our investment in Otoscan is just one example of how we're working to provide exceptional hearing healthcare to our Phoenix community.

Ready for a Better Experience?

If you need custom hearing aids, musician's earplugs, swim plugs, or other custom hearing devices, our digital ear scanning technology can help create a perfect fit for your unique ears.

Contact Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix at 602-877-0000 to schedule your appointment with one of our experienced audiologists. Experience the comfort and precision of digital ear scanning for yourself, and see why so many of our patients are amazed by the difference compared to traditional impressions.