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Soft shell hearing aid for athletes?

  • Written by Steve Claridge

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a soft-shelled ITE, ITC or CIC hearing aid? A shell made from silicone or something similar?

The question comes from Paul Murata, an athletic trainer and the University of Virginia. One of his basketball players wears in the canal hearing aids and occasionally gets hit on or around the ears during games, causing pain and sometimes even bleeding in the ear canal.

If a soft-shell in the ear aid is not possible, is there an open fit model that would stay behind the ear during a game of basketball and be strong enough to resist getting hit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.