What are impressions and how do I get some?
Ear impressions are models or moulds of your ears.
An Audiologist will check the health of your ear and if it is safe to do so, will use impression material in a syringe to take an accurate mould of your inner and outer ear shape.
Good impressions are important to ensure all the details of your ears are captured, so your monitors or hearing protection fit to the exact contours of your ear. Many audiologists are used to taking impressions for hearing aids, and in-ear monitors require a different approach. Therefore it is vital that the audiologist follows our impression taking guidelines for in-ear monitors, to ensure your finished Cosmics have a good fit and seal.
If you are unable to visit one of our recommended audiologists then you can download our impression guidelines below to bring with you to your appointment.
Where do I get some?
You will need to visit an audiologist to get impressions taken. They are a group of professionals trained to take impressions in the safest way for your ear health. You should not attempt to take your own, as you could be at risk of dangerous health complications.
We can accept physical impressions, and also 3D scans (STL files).
Please visit our audiologists page to find one of our recommended audiologist in your local area. Where possible, it's always best to visit out recommended audiologists, as they have experience taking impressions for us.
Why are we so strict?
At Cosmic Ears, we strive to deliver the best quality product we can to all of our amazing customers, but it all starts with the impressions! If the impressions do not provide us with enough material to work with, or have not been taken with a bite block to keep the jaw open, then the final product may not fit, or can even cause discomfort and pain. Please ensure you are using one of our recommended audiologists, or failing that, make sure you are taking our guidelines along to your local clinic. We do not recommend using high street audiologists for custom in-ear monitors as they most often take impressions for hearing aids, which require different specifications.
For Universal products
As our universal range is a generic fit for anyone to use, impressions are not required.
Audiologist notes for custom in-ear impressions
We require a full ear impression for our custom in-ear monitors. If you cannot go to any of our recommended audiologists, please download and take our impressions guidelines with you to your closest audiology clinic, to ensure your impressions meet our specifications. This is imperative for ensuring a good final fit. If you are unsure during the process, you can send us pictures of your impressions and we can advise before you ship them.
Our Impressions Guidelines
We require a full ear impression for our custom in-ear monitors.
Unlike impressions for hearing aids, our impressions require extra material, around the crus of the helix and the base of each impression in particular. We also ask that impressions are taken with a bite block in the centre of the mouth to prop the jaw open, and that impressions are taken to the second bend of your ear canal, using an otostop to protect your ear drum.
If you are unable to visit one of our recommended audiologists, and you are going to a local clinic, please download the below impressions guidelines and bring them with you to your appointment.
Please ensure you read these notes carefully, and stress to your audiologist the importance of following the guidelines. We have these specifications in place to ensure our final products are of the highest quality. Following our guidelines will save you a lot of hassle through the order process.
Shipping Impressions
Once you have impressions that meet our requirements then you are ready to ship them to us!
If you're unsure whether your impressions meet our requirements, you can get in touch with us and we will be happy to advise.
If you are local you can drop your impressions into our HQ in Cheadle Hulme. Check our Contact page to find out our opening times.
If you are shipping your impressions, please pack them in a solid box and make sure they are protected in packing material to stop any movement in transit from damaging the impressions. Tissue paper or bubble wrap works well.
Please ensure your impressions are labelled clearly with your name and order number (if applicable). If we receive impressions with no name on them, we will be unable to match them with your order and this could result in delayed production times.
If you are happy that they meet our criteria, you can send your impressions to the address below:
Cosmic Ears FAO: Impression
Unit 1, The Courtyard
51 Station Road
Cheadle Hulme
Greater Manchester
SK8 7AA