My Custom UE's FINALLY fit PERFECT!

[DavidMahler]

I just want to encourage those of you who have purchased the Custom UE's (i have the 10s) not to give up hope of getting a perfect fit. I've sent it back to them SIX!!! times, and finally got the fit perfect.

This is how I define perfect:

1. It is extremely comfortable even after 4 hours of use (which is the longest I've tested)

2. It blocks out more sound than my sensaphonics 2XS or the Etymotic ER4P, or the Shure E500 using foamies!

3. It doesn't break the suction seal when I open my mouth even all the way.

4. The sound doesn't vary if I move my head fast from side to side (turning my neck).....it took a lot of studying my monitors to explain to them how to end this effect.

5. Leaning the head back all the way does not break the suction seal. However the sound does change a little......this is inherent in the design of IEMs

6. When walking I do not hear anymore that annoying pulse of my footsteps while listening to music. That pulse was created by slight movement of the monitor while each step was taken.

7. The frequency spectrum feels precisely even between ears now and I don't have to fiddle to keep it that way. My right ear was presenting more high end for a while, I found it a little siblant.......now that the suction is there, the siblance is gone.

8. It only takes about 5 seconds per ear to ensure a perfect suction now. Before I had to press hard and try over and over.

9. This is a very good sign......when I take them out I can feel that nice gripping suction break open.....it's done, no need to send them back.


Well I thought I'd share this because I think it's important we all get our money's worth. I know six times is a lot but I had complete faith in them that they'd get it right. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding how to fix certain problems.

 

[2deadeyes]

I do have a slight seal issue on my left ear (the seal will break if I move my jaw to the right). I know it will end up sending it back if I want it fixed but I just can't bear the wait.

 

[DavidMahler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2deadeyes /img/forum/go_quote.gif I do have a slight seal issue on my left ear (the seal will break if I move my jaw to the right). I know it will end up sending it back if I want it fixed but I just can't bear the wait.

Overnight it to them and they'll have it done probably within 3 days. It's worth the wait!

 

[Claus-DK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMahler /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just want to encourage those of you who have purchased the Custom UE's (i have the 10s) not to give up hope of getting a perfect fit. I've sent it back to them SIX!!! times, and finally got the fit perfect. This is how I define perfect: 1. It is extremely comfortable even after 4 hours of use (which is the longest I've tested) 2. It blocks out more sound than my sensaphonics 2XS or the Etymotic ER4P, or the Shure E500 using foamies! 3. It doesn't break the suction seal when I open my mouth even all the way. 4. The sound doesn't vary if I move my head fast from side to side (turning my neck).....it took a lot of studying my monitors to explain to them how to end this effect. 5. Leaning the head back all the way does not break the suction seal. However the sound does change a little......this is inherent in the design of IEMs 6. When walking I do not hear anymore that annoying pulse of my footsteps while listening to music. That pulse was created by slight movement of the monitor while each step was taken. 7. The frequency spectrum feels precisely even between ears now and I don't have to fiddle to keep it that way. My right ear was presenting more high end for a while, I found it a little siblant.......now that the suction is there, the siblance is gone. 8. It only takes about 5 seconds per ear to ensure a perfect suction now. Before I had to press hard and try over and over. 9. This is a very good sign......when I take them out I can feel that nice gripping suction break open.....it's done, no need to send them back. Well I thought I'd share this because I think it's important we all get our money's worth. I know six times is a lot but I had complete faith in them that they'd get it right. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding how to fix certain problems.

I am going to have my ear-impressions done on Thursday, if you have any tips on how to make the perfect impression I am all ears..

 

[DavidMahler]

Make sure your audiologist uses a bite block (i actually had to get up and leave an audiologist in the middle of an appointment because he did not want to use a bite block and did not have one)......

Next tip....Ultimate Ears specifies Cotton Dams, but most audiologist use foam Dams........either one is fine (Don't worry)

But one thing i learned is that my impressions were never perfect, i went to 3 different audiologists, and now that my monitors are made, I put the impressions back in my ear with the dams off and none of them fit just right.....which means don't expect perfection when you first get the monitors, though it is definitely possible!

 

[Claus-DK]

Does it have to be a biteblock can't I just bite down on a stick or something ??

How open schould the jaw be ?? wide open ? closed ? or in resting position ??

 

[DavidMahler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claus-DK /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does it have to be a biteblock can't I just bite down on a stick or something ?? How open schould the jaw be ?? wide open ? closed ? or in resting position ??

It doesn't have to be a biteblock, but the fact that your audiologist does not have a bite block signifies a lack of awareness with regards to UE's procedures.

The best way to to it according to UE, though there is know set way is to have your mouth biting down on a centered biteblock between 1 and 2 inches. Don't chomp on it, just let it hold your mouth open and try to not let your jaws move too much.

One of the audiologists I went to did it another way and I found it extremely effective.......she had me bite down on a 2 inch bite block all the way on the right side and then did the right ear......then a new bite block all the way on the left side.

Ultimately I went with those impressions.

 

[Claus-DK]

Did you bite down hard on the seperate ones ??

I am going to try the seperate bloks then, but I may not bite down hard, I schould just let me jaw rest on the blok ??

And thanks for your help BTW

 

[trose49]

I still have fiddling with my right ear and the high end drops out. I can sometime re-insert them a few times and get it to be right but not always. I wonder if it's my ear and not the monitor because after I take it out the right ears still seems muffled for normal hearing for a while.

I would describe it as this but I dont know that it is happening:

Feels like my right ear canal might actually get aggetated after some listening and my ear canal swells a little and block he high freqs.

Again I dunno.

I can press real hard on the right ear and it (highs) will come back but as soon as I let go... gone

or I can re-insert with less penetration and they are ok?? (for awhile)

How did you describe your issues!

 

[DavidMahler]

I told UE that when I pressed hard I acheived the proper suction and tonal balance. My problem was with the right ear too.......

What they finally decided was that the bottom of the canal (forget what its called) needed to be thickened. They were correct.

However, being that your high end is decreasing in that ear makes me believe that your canal actually widens as it gets closer to your ear drum. What I think is happening is you have a lot of suction when its at a certain point in your ear but when you push it foward you probably have less suction and the high end has more room to breathe. I find that too much suction can muffle the sound a little, but I'm not positive of this.

 

[Bolardito]

My audiologist didn't have a block bite so I used my hand

Also she made me open wide the mouth for a few seconds when making both ears impressions, according to her to "capture properly the curves so I won't have problems with the monitor falling out when opening the mouth". She said it with so much confidence that I did it. I opened completely the mouth for about 3 seconds and then bit the hand again.

Now I wish i hadn't done that, it was not a process included on UE instructions

Well I have to wait and see. But it will be a pain for me to have to send them back (courier + import duties again)

 

[DavidMahler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bolardito /img/forum/go_quote.gif My audiologist didn't have a block bite so I used my hand Also she made me open wide the mouth for a few seconds when making both ears impressions, according to her to "capture properly the curves so I won't have problems with the monitor falling out when opening the mouth". She said it with so much confidence that I did it. I opened completely the mouth for about 3 seconds and then bit the hand again. Now I wish i hadn't done that, it was not a process included on UE instructions Well I have to wait and see. But it will be a pain for me to have to send them back (courier + import duties again)

Don't worry, almost every audiologist does it differently. ANd there is no absolute right way

 

[The Monkey]

When UE tweaks the fit, do they redo the entire mold or do they just work with the current mold?

 

[DavidMahler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif When UE tweaks the fit, do they redo the entire mold or do they just work with the current mold?

Good question!!! When I first received my in ear monitors my left ear was so tight that I could not fit it in my ear comfortably for more than 2 minutes. My ear would actually turn red after 20 minutes. I was thoroughly convinced that UE would have to remake this monitor. I even went so far as getting new impressions made.

But to my surprise UE was able to fix the monitor without doing a remake. And they really FIXED it! Jeanette Coffey instructed me to draw on the the monitor with a Sharpie (yes a sharpie!) the exact spots where I was feeling pressure. They then reduced those spots and rounded the edges and it fit me perfectly.

Ultimate Ears policy as I understand it is they will only make a completely new monitor if they attempt to readjust your monitor numerous times and you are still dissatisfied.

I was very nervous when I first discovered this policy, but I now realize why they do this. Besides the fact that it costs them a lot of money to create a brand new monitor, the best reason for consumer to not create a new monitor is this:
It is likely if your monitor came out too loose or too tight, that it was your impression. BUT, your impression was probably tight due to the way your ear expanded to the material being put in it and your impression remake will be just as loose or tight. You probably won't benefit from a remake anymore than you would if they just adjusted it.

Ultimate Ears is a really wonderful company and will work with you till your monitor fits! I sound like an advertisement, but I never had so much respect for a company as I do Ultimate Ears.

Dave