Custom Ear Impressions
A precise ear impression is the essential first step to ensuring your custom earplugs and monitors are comfortable, secure, and provide the best possible performance.
Our qualified audiologists are experts in taking accurate ear impressions.
We offer a comprehensive service for anyone needing a physical mould or a 3D scan file (STL file) for products purchased from other providers.
In addition, we are the sole Australian distributor of premium UK-made ACS Custom products. This exclusive partnership allows us to offer you a direct pathway to the world's leading custom earplugs, communication devices, and in-ear monitors, all starting with a professional impression taken right here in our clinic.
Who are they for?
Whether you're after a perfect fit for a third-party purchase or looking to invest in a superior custom ACS product, your journey begins with an accurate ear impression from a trusted professional.
Ear impressions are model imprints of your ear. These are a necessary requirement for customising all custom earplugs and in-ear monitors (IEMs) to the unique dimensions of your ears. A perfect impression ensures the final product fits perfectly, providing optimal sound isolation and comfort.
The process is quick, safe, and comfortable. A soft, medically graded silicone is carefully injected into your outer ear and left to cure for a few minutes. Once the impression material has hardened, it is delicately removed, revealing the exact shape and contours of your ear. This entire process takes approximately 10 minutes. The resulting impressions are then used to create custom products that fit you perfectly.
Your ears are as unique as fingerprints - no two are the same. This is precisely why generic, off-the-shelf products often fail to provide the perfect fit and acoustic seal.
Ear impressions are the blueprint used by custom manufacturers. They enable products to be tailored to the unique contours of your ear, providing superior comfort and effectiveness. To get the best performance and sound from your new custom hearing protection or IEMs, it is crucial that we get a high-quality impression of your ears. Our audiologists are trained to capture this detail, ensuring your final product is the ultimate in sound isolation and quality.
Pricing
We will examine your ears to ensure they are healthy and clean before taking the impressions. The process of taking ear impressions involves the use of medically approved soft silicone, ensuring that the procedure is both painless and comfortable. This makes it a safe and suitable option for a wide range of individuals.
If there is impacted ear wax, we’ll need to remove it before proceeding. (Please note there’s an additional charge if ear cleaning is required.)
Impressions
Ear Impressions pricing
Medically approved soft silicone
Painless and comfortable
- Made with an open jaw using a 1” bite block - some manufactures require this process (please advise us if requested)
- Made with an open jaw using a 1” bite block - some manufactures require this process (please advise us if requested)
3D Scan
3D Scan pricing
(includes STL file)
*The cost of 3D scans is $77 if impressions are done by earLAB. If impressions were sourced from somewhere else the 3D scan costs $110.
Price includes 3D scan and STL file
Before Your Appointment
Online Forms: To ensure a smooth and informed consultation, we ask that you complete a pre-consultation survey and a consent form online before your appointment. This provides our audiologists with important information about your general health and ear history.
Arrival and Consultation
When you arrive at our clinic, you'll be welcomed by our friendly staff. Your audiologist will then discuss your specific needs. It's crucial to let us know who the impressions are for, as different manufacturers have unique guidelines for how the impressions are taken, such as jaw position or mould depth. They'll answer any questions you may have and ensure we're ready for the next step.
Expert Examination
Your audiologist will use a video otoscope to perform a thorough examination of your ear canal. A professional ear impression can only be taken if the ear canal is clear of wax, as any build-up would distort the final mould. If wax is present, we can safely remove it on the spot with our microsuction process. Please note, this is an additional service, and microsuction charges will apply. If you choose not to proceed with microsuction, we will charge a consultation fee and ask you to return for your impressions once the wax has been cleared.
The Impression Procedure
The process itself is quick and comfortable. First, a small foam or cotton block is gently placed in your ear canal to protect the eardrum. Then, a soft, medically graded silicone is carefully injected into the ear. This material takes a few minutes to cure, and once it is fully hardened, your audiologist will carefully remove it to reveal a perfect impression of your ear.
Post-Procedure and Review
After the impression is taken, your audiologist will inspect it to ensure it is of the highest quality. We will then perform a final check of your ear and eardrum health to ensure everything is in perfect condition. We'll then provide you with the physical mould or, if you require a 3D scan, we will take a scan of the impression and email you the file.
The deep impression difference
For the ultimate in comfort, reliability, and acoustic performance, an off-the-shelf earplug simply won't suffice. Products requiring a perfect seal and deep insertion rely on a deep ear impression taken by a qualified audiologist. The deep impression process involves carefully creating a precision mould that extends beyond the ear's second bend. This custom approach ensures the device fits perfectly, even with jaw movement, guaranteeing the highest level of protection and function.
Musicians and Audio Professionals
Musicians Earplugs: Essential for professional musicians, DJs, and concertgoers. The deep fit ensures a perfect acoustic seal for specialised filters, providing flat attenuation. This lowers the volume without distorting the music's clarity or quality.
In Ear Monitors (IEMs) & Broadcasting
Used by performing artists, broadcast professionals, and journalists. A deep, custom shell sits securely, isolating sound perfectly to deliver crystal clear audio and reliable communication without slipping.
Safety and Communication
Shooting Plugs: Required by hunters and sport shooters. The reliable, deep seal provides maximum attenuation for sudden, extreme noise, offering critical protection against the damaging crack of a firearm.
Motor Sports & Communication
Ideal for motorcyclists and race crew. The slim, deep fit ensures the device sits comfortably under a helmet without causing pressure points, reducing wind noise and delivering clear communication feeds.
Water, Sleep, and Noise Isolation
Swimming Plugs: Necessary for surfers, frequent swimmers, and people with grommets. This custom solution provides a guaranteed watertight seal that prevents water penetration, reducing the risk of conditions like 'swimmer's ear'.
Our Partners
At earLAB, our qualified audiologists are experts in taking the specific deep impression mould required by the industry's leading brands. This ensures a flawless, secure, and airtight fit for devices that extend beyond the ear's second bend - guaranteeing unparalleled performance and safety.
Why choose earLAB?
An ear impression is a clinical procedure that requires precision and expertise. At earLAB, we are not just a service provider - we are a team of qualified audiologists committed to providing the highest standard of care, ensuring your impressions are perfect every time.
Expert Care from Audiologists
Your ear impressions are taken by a qualified audiologist, not a technician. This means the procedure is performed with a deep understanding of ear anatomy and health. It guarantees the highest level of accuracy and safety, ensuring your final product fits perfectly and performs exactly as it should.
Comprehensive Service
Unlike other impression services, we provide a full-spectrum experience. Before taking an impression, our audiologists will perform a thorough check of your ear health, using a video otoscope to ensure your ear canal is clear and healthy. We can also provide on-the-spot microsuction if required, saving you from a return visit.
Exclusive Product Access
earLAB is the sole Australian distributor of genuine UK-made ACS Custom products. Getting your impressions done with us gives you exclusive access to the world's leading custom hearing protection, professional in-ear monitors, and communication devices.
Unbiased and Flexible
We work with a wide range of manufacturers. Whether your custom product is from ACS or a different brand, we guarantee a high-quality impression that meets the specific guidelines of your chosen manufacturer. We are committed to an honest, unbiased service that prioritises your needs.
View all our products on our online store
Shop our large range of hearing protection products, ranging from IEMs to custom earplugs. Order online today or contact us at reception@earlab.com.au for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read some of our most common questions about ear wax removal, ear impressions, sleep plugs and swim plugs.
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when sensitive structures in the inner ear are damaged by brief or extended periods of exposure to loud sounds. NIHL usually happens with noise levels greater than 85decibels (dBs). Damage happens faster as noise levels increase above this threshold.
Your initial consultation will be 20 minutes. Following that, your finished ear plugs will be available for pick up in 3-4 weeks in most cases (we would like to emphasise that our products are custom-made to ensure the highest quality. As a result, the turnaround time may be longer). Please keep in mind these products are manufactured in UK and unforeseen delays can happen with manufacturing and shipment. If you’re happy with self-fitting they can be posted directly to you. We offer standard parcel postage for $11-15, and express for $15-19, and both are available for free on orders $1100 and over.
This procedure is performed by experienced and highly trained Audiologists with the ability to take deep full shell ear impressions process that require capturing as much information (please note differ to ear impressions taking for hearing aids)
To perform impressions on children under the age of 5, it is recommended that the audiologist has specialised training and experience. Regrettably, our staff is not equipped with the necessary training to work with children in this age group, and are unable to provide ear impression services for them. This restriction applies to the following stages: Newborn, Infant, Toddler, and Pre-schooler.
We'll retain a digital record of your ear impressions for a duration of 4 years. This record will enable us to create additional products for you when you place subsequent orders. Simply contact our reception@earlab.com.au after placing your order to inform us that you'd like to utilise your existing impressions.
While your custom product has the potential to last indefinitely, we recommend obtaining new ear impressions every 4 years. This is advised because the shape of your ear canals can undergo changes over time.
If you want a cool design on your custom in-ear monitors, we have a laser etching service, but it costs extra. Before ordering, contact us if you want this service. The design's details and your ear size will affect whether we can do it.
Please note that clients are responsible for all costs. Our manufacturer, ACS UK, can repair all currently supported ACS in-ear monitors. However, some older models may be unrepairable due to changes in parts and manufacturing methods. If your in-ear monitors have an issue, we can send them to ACS UK on your behalf. Just provide us with a note explaining the problem, and we'll inform you of the repair or replacement costs.
Our products include a 12-month warranty, which covers defects in build and components. Additionally, our custom products offer a 60-day fit warranty and a 60-day filter exchange warranty (if applicable). For comprehensive details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions
Grips are additional silicone sections added to the earplug to assist with insertion and removal. Cording refers to a removable neck cord attached to the earplugs.
We offer an express service for urgent orders at an additional cost of $250 per product. This service prioritizes your order in our production queue. However, we cannot guarantee specific delivery timelines as factors beyond production may impact overall timing. Standard production times are 4 weeks for PRO earplugs and 5 weeks for IEMs. To arrange express production, contact us at reception@earlab.com.au.
If your Audiologist recommends a follow-up appointment, our staff will assist you in booking it. We offer complimentary follow-ups when necessary, as long as they are scheduled within 2 weeks of your original appointment. PLEASE NOtE: Follow-up appointments are not available on Saturdays. Online booking is not offered for follow-up appointments; please contact our clinic directly to schedule.
Pro filters 10, 15, 17, 20 and 26 are interchangeable (note: if you have a plug with any of these filters you can't change them to Pro 27 or 31). Pro Filter 27 and 31 are interchangeable (note: if you have a plug with Pro 27 or 3 filters you can't change them to Pro 10, 15, 17, 20 or 26). If you find the filters you have chosen are not suited to your use we will exchange them for a different type. Simply contact us to return your filters to us, and on receipt we will send the replacement pair of filters that you have chosen. This free of charge exchange can only be actioned once, only when the filters are still in new condition and within 60 days of receipt of your order.
Take care of your hearing today
Book an appointment with our experts and hear the difference.
