After months (possibly even years) of waiting, you’ve finally decided to contact us to see if you should get hearing aids. Like many, you’ve been resisting this. But the difficulty of going through life without being able to hear has finally become too hard to ignore.
So when you do finally come in and then you find out that you will still have to wait another two weeks before you obtain your custom fit hearing aids, it can be discouraging.
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 known as a hearing aid dome instead.
What are hearing aid domes?
Doesn’t that sound sort of epic? Like some kind of arena where hearing aids battle in ancient, mythological combat. Only one hearing aid can come forth victorious from the hearing aid dome.
It’s not quite that thrilling. But they are pretty neat. Hearing aid domes go on the end of your hearing aid speakers like tiny earbuds. Generally made of plastic or silicone, they fit over that little bit that goes in your ear canal, attaching to the tubing of your hearing aid. You can use them on both behind-the-ear and in-ear models. And they basically do two things:
- They situate the hearing aid speaker (the part that you listen to) in an ideal position within your ear canal. And they position the speaker so it won’t move around in your ear.
- They can help limit the amount of outside sound you hear, particularly when that outside sound can interfere with the function of your hearing aid. Hearing aid domes work to improve the sound quality and offer an extra bit of control when used correctly.
Domes for hearing aids look sort of like those bulbs at the end of your earbuds. You will have to select the hearing aid dome that’s ideal for you from several kinds, and we can help you do that.
What is the difference between hearing aid domes?
Open types and closed types each let in different amounts of ambient sound.
Hearing aid dome types include:
Open Domes
With these, more sound is capable of passing through little holes in the dome. You get the benefit of amplification while still being able to process external sounds.
Closed Domes
As the name implies, these domes have fewer holes and stop more ambient sound than open domes do. For people with more profound hearing loss, background noise can be very distracting and this type of dome can help with that.
Power Domes
Power domes completely block the ear canal and have no venting. With these, almost no outside sound can get in. These are most practical for extremely severe hearing loss.
How often should you change your hearing aid domes?
Every two to three months will be the best 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 typically be used right out of the box. In fact, that’s one of their biggest advantages.
What are the benefits of hearing aid domes?
Hearing aid domes are popular for a wide array of reasons. Here are a few prevailing benefits:
- No fitting time: Not needing to wait is one of the greatest advantages of hearing aid domes. You can pop them in and wear your hearing aid right away. This is a perfect solution for people who don’t want to wait weeks for custom fit hearing aids. It’s also great for individuals who want to demo their hearing aids before they purchase them. For patients who want faster results, hearing aid domes can provide a way to accomplish that without compromising the quality of your sound clarity.
- The outside world sounds more clear and natural: By finding the best hearing aid dome type, you can guarantee that your hearing aids produce a natural overall sound and improved sound clarity. More than likely, some sound will still get through and that’s the reason for this. We can help you determine the kind that’s best for you.
- You can hear your own voice: Some hearing aid domes are designed to let a natural level of sound get through. So you will still be capable of hearing your own voice. You’re more likely to wear your hearing aids more if they sound clear and natural.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are fairly small, particularly when they’re tucked inside your ear. They’re pretty 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?
You’ll want to be aware of some of the downsides and trade-offs that come with hearing aid domes. Here are a few of the most prevalent:
- They can at times be uncomfortable: Having something plugging the ear canal can be really unpleasant for some people. Some people find this sensation, called “occlusion” by hearing specialist, intensely 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 might separate from the tubing and get stuck in your ear canal. You’ll probably need to come in and see us to have it removed if this happens.
- Occasionally, they can cause feedback: Feedback, though not that common, sometimes does happen. This is especially true for those who have high-frequency hearing loss.
- Some forms of hearing loss aren’t suitable for hearing aid domes: For instance, if you have profound hearing loss or high frequency hearing loss, hearing aid domes might not be the preferred option for you. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, again, it’s the feedback that becomes the problem. For people who have profound hearing loss, it’s really the hearing aid itself that’s the issue: you’ll require something that’s bigger and which is more powerful than the types commonly associated with hearing aid domes.
Should I use hearing aid domes?
Inevitably, the decision of whether you should use hearing aid domes or not is largely a personal one. It’s your choice but we can help. And we will be able to walk you through all the pros and cons related to your personal hearing health.
Some people might be better off waiting for a custom fitting. Others will create healthy lifelong hearing habits by opting for a solution that lets them begin using their new hearing aids immediately.
You’ve got options and that’s the good thing.