You’ve been avoiding calling us to see if you need hearing aids, but you’ve finally decided it’s time. You’ve been resisting this like so many others. But the stress of living life without being able to hear has finally become too much.
So when you do finally come in and then you learn that you will still have to wait another two weeks before you get your custom fit hearing aids, it can be disheartening.
That’s another two weeks coping with those lost moments before you can start getting them back. But you could try a basic little device add on called a hearing aid dome instead.
What are hearing aid domes?
They sound sort of epic, right? Like some kind of arena where hearing aids duel in ancient, mythological combat. Only one hearing aid can come forth victorious from the hearing aid dome.
It’s not really that exciting. But they are rather neat. Hearing aid domes are put on the end of your hearing aid speakers like little earbuds. Usually made out of silicone or plastic, they attach to the tubing of your hearing aid and fit around the part that goes inside of your ear canal. You can use them on both behind-the-ear and in-ear models. And they basically do two things:
- They assure that the speaker of the hearing aid is sitting in an optimal position in your ear. And they help secure the speaker in place. That way it’s not moving around.
- In some cases, external sound can impede the sound of your hearing aid and hearing aid domes help avoid that by controlling the amount of outside sound. When used correctly, hearing aid domes give you a bit of extra control and work to improve sound clarity.
Domes for hearing aids look kind of like those bulbs at the end of your earbuds. There are several hearing aid dome types, so we will help you select the one that’s best for your needs.
Different types of hearing aid domes
Most come in open and closed designs, each letting in more or less ambient sound.
Hearing aid dome models include:
Open Domes
These have holes in the dome that allow more natural sound to get through and into your ears. This helps your ear process natural sounds while still getting the advantage of amplification.
Closed Domes
As the name suggests, these domes have fewer openings and stop more ambient sound than open domes do. These are better for more advanced hearing loss where ambient noise can be distracting.
Power Domes
Power domes don’t have any holes and completely block external sounds. With these, almost no outside sound can get in. These domes will be ideal for individuals with very severe hearing loss.
How often should you change your hearing aid domes?
Every two to three months will be the ideal schedule for changing your hearing aid domes (your ears are not the dirtiest place, but they aren’t the cleanest, either).
Hearing aid domes can usually be used right out of the box. As a matter of fact, that’s one of their primary advantages.
What are the benefits of hearing aid domes?
There are numerous reasons why hearing aid domes are popular. Here are a few common advantages:
- You can hear your own voice: A natural level of sound can get through some types of hearing aid domes. So you will still be capable of hearing your own voice. You’ll most likely use your hearing aids more often if they sound clear and natural.
- No fitting time: One of the most prominent (and immediate) benefits of hearing aid domes is that you don’t need to wait. You can put them in and use your hearing aid immediately. This is a perfect option for people who don’t want to wait weeks for custom fit hearing aids. And if you want to try out a hearing aid before you buy it, they’re great for that too. For people who want faster results, hearing aid domes can provide a way to accomplish that without compromising the quality of your sound clarity.
- Everything sounds a little more natural: You can be sure your hearing aids create a clear, natural sound quality by picking the right type of hearing aid domes. More than likely, some sound will still get through and that’s the reason for this. Once again, this depends on the type of dome, and we can help you with this.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes aren’t very big, especially when they’re in your ear. They’re rather discrete in this way.
And again, this will mean you’re less likely to leave your hearing aid sitting in a drawer.
Are there downsides to hearing aid domes?
As with any hearing device or medical procedure, there are some downsides and trade-offs to hearing aid domes, trade=offs you’ll want to consider before making a decision. Here are a few of the most prevalent:
- They can at times be uncomfortable: Some people don’t like the feeling of something filling their ear canal. Hearing specialists call this sensation “occlusion,” and some individuals can find it extremely uncomfortable. Additionally, if you take your hearing aid dome out too fast (or don’t clean it frequently enough), there’s the chance that it may separate from the tubing and get stuck in your ear canal. You’ll most likely need to come in and see us to have it removed if this happens.
- They can sometimes be more prone to feedback: Feedback isn’t necessarily common, but it does happen. For people who have high frequency hearing loss, this is particularly true.
- Some types of hearing loss aren’t suited for hearing aid domes: As an illustration, hearing aid domes won’t be the ideal option if you have high frequency hearing loss or profound hearing loss. For people with high-frequency hearing loss, again, it’s the feedback that becomes the problem. For those who have profound hearing loss, it’s really the hearing aid itself that’s the issue: you’ll need something that’s bigger and which has more power than the styles commonly associated with hearing aid domes.
So are hearing aid domes for me?
It’s mostly a personal choice whether you use hearing aid domes. We can help but it’s your choice. And we will be able to walk you through all the pros and cons pertaining to your unique hearing health.
Some individuals might be better off waiting for a custom fitting. Others will build healthy lifelong hearing habits by opting for a solution that allows them to start using their new hearing aids immediately.
The nice thing is that you’ve got options.