As a graduate audiology student with cochlear implants, I struggled with performing listening checks on hearing aids because traditional listening tubes route signals through the ear canal. I tried attaching tubing to FM systems and remote microphones but listening to hearing aids via a second amplifier made it difficult to perform subjective assessments with acceptable accuracy. Eventually I settled with plugging a lapel microphone into the DAI port of my processor and using double belled tubing to couple the lapel microphone to the hearing aid receiver. This worked up until I switched to a new cochlear implant processor that no longer supported this configuration.
Out of frustration, I started contacting earmold manufacturers to share my story, hoping to find someone willing to move the sound bore from the ear canal to one of the microphones of my cochlear implants. This is how I connected with Michael Harvest of Pacific Coast Laboratories. We worked together on creating a solution for me which resulted in what we both called the very first “Laura Listening Tube”. I was floored by the sound quality and how easy it attached to my processor. This configuration provides more natural sound as the listening tube does not re-amplify the hearing aid’s output like other listening tube solutions I’ve tried.
After sharing my experience on some Facebook pages, other students and audiologists with hearing loss reached out and worked with Michael at Pacific Coast Laboratories to create a customized listening tube. As a result, several different listening tubes inspired by the first “Laura listening tube” are now available for different cochlear implants and BTE hearing aids. If one is not currently available for your specific device, you can send in an impression of your cochlear implant or BTE using a non-functioning replica provide by the device manufacturer.
Ordering Your Own Listening Tube
- Send an email to Leigh of Pacific Coast Laboratories at Leigh@shoppcl.com. Be sure to include the following:
- In the subject line of the email, type in “Listening Tube for Cochlear Implant/Hearing Aid”.
- In your email, include the specific model of your cochlear implant or hearing aid.
- If an impression has already been made for this model, you just place an order for the listening tube.
- If an impression has not been previously made for the specific model of your cochlear implant or hearing aid, contact your local manufacturer’s representative to explain the need to make an impression of your cochlear implant or hearing aid to pursue a customized listening tube. The manufacturer should be able to send you a non-functioning replica to make the impression.
- Payment required at the time of order; call (510) 351-2770 to relay credit card information.
Making an Impression
- Using earmold impression material and the non-functioning replica, cover the entire panel where your hearing device’s microphones sit and cover the microphone(s) with impression material. Then cover the sides of the device connected to the already covered microphone panel, but do not add impression material all the way around the device (see picture below). Like a normal earmold impression, you do not want gaps or air pockets in contact with the non-functioning replica. Let impression material harden fully.
- Gently peel impression material off the replica. Mark the microphone’s indentations with a light-colored permanent marker and be sure to tell Michael that these marks indicate the microphones. If your hearing device only uses the second microphone in certain situations, please indicate which microphone you would like the listening tube sound bore to go to.
- Make a second impression except this time include impression material all the way around the replica (making a tube). Let the impression material cure. Make a cut on the underside of the replica and remove the replica.
- Send both impressions to Michael.
- While not required, it could be beneficial to email pictures of your hearing device with and without the impression material on it, so that Michael has an indication of size/direction of your hearing device.
About the Guest Blogger
Laura Schauer, AuD is an audiologist with a passion for improving the quality of life for those with hearing loss and spreading awareness about the profession. She received her AuD from the University of Northern Colorado in May of 2020. She has recently relocated to California from her home state of Colorado to work in a private audiology practice. For more information, contact her directly at laura.schauer44@yahoo.com.
