In March of 2026, Texas Hearing Institute will host the grand opening of Houston’s only in-house pediatric custom 3D printed earmold lab for hearing aids. This is important because newborns need to be fitted with hearing aids promptly and receive new earmolds as their ears grow to ensure a proper fit and optimal hearing.
Having the entire earmold production process on-site, without relying on outside manufacturers or shipping companies, means less time spent waiting for new or better-fitting earmolds. From the first test to the final fitting, each step is managed by Texas Hearing Institute’s audiology team.
With this lab, families will experience shorter wait times, doctors will experience closer coordination of services, and most importantly, children will have more consistent access to sound during the years when speech and language skills are forming.
What Is a Pediatric Earmold Lab?
A pediatric earmold lab creates custom earmolds for children who wear hearing aids. An earmold is the soft, custom-shaped piece that fits inside a child’s ear and connects to the hearing aid. It seals the ear canal, so sound is delivered clearly and at the correct volume.
If the seal is not secure, sound can leak out. This sound leakage can cause feedback, the high-pitched whistling sometimes heard from hearing aids. A poor seal can also reduce amplification, meaning the hearing aid cannot deliver speech sounds at the levels a child needs to hear clearly.
Because babies and young children grow quickly, their ears grow as well. Earmolds must be replaced frequently (sometimes several times a year) to maintain a proper fit and consistent sound delivery.
How the In-House Earmold Process Works
The earmold process begins during a baby’s hearing appointment. An audiologist first examines the ear canal to ensure it is safe to take an impression. An impression is a soft mold made by gently placing medical-grade silicone material into the ear canal. The material sets within minutes and captures the exact shape of the child’s ear.
The impression is removed and used as a template to make the earmold. Parents and children can choose fun colors and glitter for their earmolds! The audiology team uses a 3D scanner to capture a digital image of the impressions. The earmolds are then designed in a special software and a shell is printed using a 3D resin printer. The shell is then filled with silicone, treated, smoothed and finished to match the child’s ear.
Once the earmold is ready, it is attached to the hearing aid and placed in the child’s ear. The doctor checks for comfort, seal, and sound quality. Adjustments can be made quickly in the lab as needed. Because the lab is on-site, modifications or remakes can be completed without weeks of waiting.
This complete earmold system allows consultation, impression, production, fitting, and follow-up care to happen under one roof.
In-House Pediatric Earmold Production: Measurable Impact
Since soft opening in early January, the lab had already produced results:
- 71 earmolds have already been made for 41 pediatric patients
- Reduced turnaround time of 1 week, compared to 3–4 weeks before
Shorter turnaround times reduce gaps in hearing aid use. Even brief interruptions can limit access to speech sounds during critical stages of development.
The first few years of life are considered a critical period for brain development. During this time, the brain forms neural pathways, which are connections that support listening, speech, and language skills. When hearing aids are fitted early and paired with properly fitting earmolds, children have greater access to the sounds that build vocabulary, articulation and early learning skills.
Consistent amplification, which means steady and reliable sound delivery through hearing aids, supports clearer speech production and stronger communication outcomes.
Comprehensive Children’s Hearing Care, Entirely In-House
The earmold lab is part of a coordinated pediatric audiology model that includes:
- Children’s hearing evaluations and hearing aid consultations
- On-site earmold impressions, production, and adjustments
- Direct coordination with speech therapy and early intervention services
Because each stage occurs within the same facility, families work with the same care team throughout the process. There are no shipping delays and no gaps between providers.
If a child outgrows an earmold, experiences discomfort, or develops feedback, the team can respond quickly. This responsiveness helps maintain consistent hearing aid use and protects access to sound during critical developmental windows.
Community Support for Pediatric Hearing Healthcare
The pediatric earmold lab was made possible through grants from The Sydnor and Olga Oden Foundation and The Elkins Foundation. Their support advances early access to sound for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and strengthens coordinated pediatric hearing services in Houston.
Texas Hearing Institute also extends appreciation to the Callier Center at UT Dallas for providing specialized training that prepared our staff to create custom earmolds. Their hands-on training ensures the lab meets high clinical standards and supports the safe, precise production of earmolds for every child served.
Expanding Access to Sound in Houston, TX
The opening of Houston’s only in-house pediatric earmold lab marks a significant expansion of local children’s hearing care services. By combining consultation, production, and delivery in one location, Texas Hearing Institute reduces wait times and strengthens continuity of care.
On March 23, the organization will celebrate the launch of a new lab and a streamlined path to consistent access to sound for children and families across the region.
For more information about pediatric audiology services or custom earmolds, contact Texas Hearing Institute.
