Just came back from audiologist. Here's my report for the next bunch of customs noobs...
I handed the audiologist the instructions from Ultimate Ears. Note: Todd must have forgot to send me Freq's instructions, and my reminder email must have not gotten through. Anyways... the only part that puzzled the audiologist was the request to use cotton plugs instead of foam. He questioned it several times, looked in his supply cabinet and said he didn't have cloth. For a couple of reasons (which I can go into if desired), it shouldn't make a bit of difference.
Next, he put the foam plugs in -- DEEP! He warned me and did it very slowly and carefully. My left ear was unspectacular. My right, he initially noted did not go very deep. I toughened up and took a few more taps. We basically stopped before things got too painful.
I had the biggest short-bus moment with the bite guard. I could not figure out what he wanted me to do with them. Eventually he takes one and sticks in my mouth and says, "Bite down." Oh, duh!
Then came the silicone. Squirt, squirt, squirt. I went pretty much deaf for three minutes, only hearing the occasional bubbling of the gel. Around Minute 2, I started to drool a bit.
The audiologist returned and asked me to "chew" while he removed the impressions. With gentle tugging and maneuvering, both came out. He inspected and told me how they turned out very nicely: no bubbles and a good deal past the second bend of the ear (which made me wonder if he needed to go as deep with the plugs!). He then wrapped them in bubble wrap and put them in a Westone box.
End of experience. Oh, I forgot to mention that he said a customer came in six months ago and was getting impressions for Freqs. We chatted about UE and he gave me a light sales job on Westone IEMs.
===
Then off to the house to print out my Freq receipts and instructions. Took a few pics of the impressions, too. Also called and confirmed address with Derek (was a bit odd that unless I took this initiative, I would not be 100% sure of where to ship my impressions). Hoping to avoid any of the issue mentioned in this thread, I highlighted and wrote out a few instructions and wrote my name, order # and note about iPhone cable on the Westone box. Put all of it into a Express USPS bag with some stuffing and shipped it next day guaranteed for about $16.00.
Keeping my fingers crossed it gets there tomorrow, and that the turnaround is as expected and I can get them in hand for 5/1 trip. I'll likely call Todd tomorrow to confirm receipt of impressions.
So other than a few rough spots in terms of communication with and follow through by Freq, this process is going well.
