[PhilGT]

  What about a silicone filled acrylic model?  I know some companies have offered them before.  Would this result in even better isolation?

I do not see how filling with silicone would make the isolation any better, IMHO it is with the fit and for most part the fit in the canal area.

 

[davidcotton]

IMHO you don't need acrylic, or silicon for good isolation.  You just need blocked ears.  Couldn't hear the alarm this morning on my right side.  Doctors hear (get it ) I come.
 
Have a good weekend everyone!

 

[davtse]

Having tried silicon, acrylic and vinyl, i have to say that ironically even though everyone says silicon provides the best fit and isolation, it turned out to be my worst experience of the lot. Acrylic provided the best isolation and comfort, with vinyl coming in a close second. Overall I think it all boils down to the fit of the impression, the experience of the person making the shell and the luck of the draw, if you have nice straight canals its generally easier to get a good fit.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[Yummerzzz]

Any new news on the DD1?

 

[blueangel2323]

  What about a silicone filled acrylic model?  I know some companies have offered them before.  Would this result in even better isolation?

I don't think that exists. Maybe you mean acrylic shells with silicone coated canals? That's been done before.

 

[davidcotton]

  I don't think that exists. Maybe you mean acrylic shells with silicone coated canals? That's been done before.

If you have a look at some of average joes reviews (has he ever done Cosmic btw?) during isolation he mentions models that have been filled with silicone.

 

[fabian005]

If you have a look at some of average joes reviews (has he ever done Cosmic btw?) during isolation he mentions models that have been filled with silicone.

What exactly would this achieve? Less jitter maybe?

 

[Deviltooth]

What exactly would this achieve? Less jitter maybe?

I think there were two possible reasons.  One would be better isolation.  The second would be a stronger CIEM which can sometimes be delicate with a thin acrylic shell.

 

[fabian005]

A strong CIEM with a delicate shell? What exactly is making it strong then?

 

[blueangel2323]

I think there were two possible reasons.  One would be better isolation.  The second would be a stronger CIEM which can sometimes be delicate with a thin acrylic shell.

The stronger part, I can understand... but how would it affect isolation if the silicone is inside the shell and doesn't touch your ear?
 

A strong CIEM with a delicate shell? What exactly is making it strong then?

A silicone "filling" would theoretically make the outer shell stronger, as it would be solid instead of hollow inside.

 

[Deviltooth]

"The stronger part, I can understand... but how would it affect isolation if the silicone is inside the shell and doesn't touch your ear?"
 
Think of it this way: If you have a thin layer of wax blocking your eardrum and that deadens some sound and you then add more wax so it becomes thicker you'd block more sound.  Now consider you have one type of material that blocks certain frequencies (acrylic) and then you add a second type (silicone) known to block different frequencies.  In theory the extra thickness and the two different materials would yield better isolation.

 

[fabian005]

The stronger part, I can understand... but how would it affect isolation if the silicone is inside the shell and doesn't touch your ear?

A silicone "filling" would theoretically make the outer shell stronger, as it would be solid instead of hollow inside.

The way I thought it was phrased led me to it would be more delicate with silicone filling although logically that shouldn't be the case.

 

[Marleybob217]

 
Good point. Also one should consider the individual. People have slightly different ear muscle/cartlidge density and this can determine which is better Acrylic or Silicone. Most people have a soft ear muscle/cartlidge and Acrylic is a better choice for them as the hard Acrylic suits the softer muscle/cartlidg. On the flip side a few people have a harder muscle/cartlidge and thus with Silicone is a better choice being softer than Acrylic. This is one reason why some people prefer Acrylic to Silicone and vice versa.
 
The debate here though is not on which is better, it is on isolation. Personally I would say Silicone can provide a slightly better isolation although IMHO the difference is negligible, I personally would always take Acrylic. Isolation is 90% of the time down to the level of fit, this is why it is always important to have open mouth impressions and DO NOT talk whilst having them taken.
 
I wrote a post some time ago on the importance of a fit for a CIEM, it could be useful for those that have not seen it to have a look at it. post #3330

Not sure why so many audiologist say this doesn't really matter. And use the lackluster argument "I've done 1000s closed mouth impressions". 
Such a shame when specialists, really aren't specialists.

 

[fabian005]

Not sure why so many audiologist say this doesn't really matter. And use the lackluster argument "I've done 1000s closed mouth impressions". 
Such a shame when specialists, really aren't specialists.

Big big +1 to that! That is a major reason my monitors took so long because the first impressions sucked because the specialist said and I quote "I have done impressions for 25 years and never have I had to use bit blocks." Lo and behold when shells arrived seal was not right and well they just felt off... Got another pair done this time I made sure about the block and vióla I was able to proceed with my monitors! Those instructions are key to an expedient process of monitor making.

 

[tomllm]

My audiologist said the same... and was also trying to have a conversation with me while doing the impressions!  
 
I guess keeping things CE related, I chose the pre fit service. So the correction I needed, though admittedly minor, didn't really hold things up at all.  Actually although the correction was minor, the left shell became painful within minutes - which really is as bad as one that doesn't fit at all I suppose when it comes to CIEMs.