For years I had only use the hard Lucite ear molds. When I needed to replace my current ones a few years ago, I decided to try the soft silicone ones. They were fine at first, very comfortable. After a few weeks, although I always get some itchy ears with having HA, the itch was getting steadily worse. Soon there was a full blown painful ear infection. I was sick at the time so I thought it was just the normal ear infection that happens when I get a bad cold. The cold cleared up but the ear infection didn't. It required some prescription ear drops to clear that up - my hearing dropped a bit afterward though. The problem was started by an allergic reaction to the silicone. I guess Lucite is the way to go for me.