You’ve been putting off calling us to find out if you need hearing aids, but you’ve finally decided it’s time. You’ve been resisting this like so many others. But the inconvenience, the lost moments, the missing interactions, they all finally became too much.
So it’s a bit disheartening when you’re at the hearing specialist’s office and you find out that you’re going to have to wait another two weeks for custom fit hearing aids.
That’s another two weeks coping with those lost moments before you can begin getting them back. Of course, there is another alternative: a deceptively basic device add-on, called hearing aid domes.
What are hearing aid domes?
Doesn’t that sound kind of epic? Like hearing aids fighting in some type of ancient mythological arena. Only one hearing aid can emerge victorious from the hearing aid dome.
It’s not quite that thrilling. But they are rather neat. Hearing aid domes are like little earbuds that you can put at the end of your hearing aid speaker. Usually made of silicone or plastic, they connect to the tubing of your hearing aid and fit on the part that goes in your ear canal. They’re made for behind-the-ear or inside-the-ear-canal models of hearing aids. And they generally do two things:
- They situate the hearing aid speaker (the bit that you listen to) in an optimal position inside of your ear canal. And they help keep the speaker in place. That way it’s not moving around.
- Sometimes, external sound can impede the sound of your hearing aid and hearing aid domes help stop that by controlling the amount of outside sound. Hearing aid domes work to enhance the sound clarity and offer an extra bit of control when used properly.
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 assist you in doing that.
Different types of hearing aid domes
Open types and closed types each let in different amounts of ambient sound.
Hearing aid domes come in different kinds, including:
Open Domes
These have openings in the dome that allow more outside sound to get through and into your ears. You get the advantage of amplification while still being able to process outside sounds.
Closed Domes
These domes let less external sound in through fewer and smaller holes. For individuals with more significant hearing loss, ambient noise can be really distracting and this kind of dome can help with that.
Power Domes
Power domes completely block the ear canal and have no holes. With these, nearly no outside sound can get in. These are most practical for very 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 usually be worn right out of the box. That’s one of the best things about them.
What are the benefits of hearing aid domes?
There are a number of reasons why hearing aid domes are popular. The most common benefits include the following:
- You can hear your own voice: A natural level of sound can get through some models of hearing aid domes. So you will still be capable of hearing your own voice. This makes the clarity of sound seem much more natural, which means you’re likely to wear your hearing aids far more often.
- Everything sounds a bit more natural: By finding the right hearing aid dome type, you can guarantee that your hearing aids generate a natural overall sound and improved sound clarity. Most likely, some sound will still get through and that’s the reason for this. Once again, this depends on the style of dome, and we will help you with this.
- No fitting time: Not having to wait is one of the greatest advantages of hearing aid domes. You can put them in and wear your hearing aid immediately. For individuals who don’t want to wait for custom fit hearing aids, it’s the best option. It’s also great for people who want to try out their hearing aids before they purchase them. With hearing aid domes, patients don’t have to sacrifice sound clarity to get faster results.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are pretty small, particularly when they’re tucked into your ear. In this way, they can be rather discrete.
And again, this will mean you’re not as likely to leave your hearing aid sitting in a drawer.
What are the downsides to hearing aid domes?
You’ll want to be aware of some of the drawbacks 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 filling the ear canal can be very unpleasant for some individuals. Hearing specialists call this feeling “occlusion,” and some individuals can find it intensely uncomfortable. Additionally, if you pull your hearing aid dome out too fast (or don’t clean it frequently enough), there’s the possibility 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 get it removed if this happens.
- Occasionally, they can cause feedback: Feedback isn’t necessarily typical, but it can occur. For people who are dealing with high frequency hearing loss, this is particularly true.
- Not ideal for all forms of hearing loss: For instance, if you are suffering from profound hearing loss or high frequency hearing loss, hearing aid domes might not be the best solution for you. Again, the feedback can become an issue with high frequency hearing loss. For those with profound hearing loss, it’s really the hearing aid itself that’s the issue: you’ll need something that’s larger and which is more powerful than the styles typically associated with hearing aid domes.
So are hearing aid domes right for me?
It’s mostly a personal decision whether you use hearing aid domes. We can help but it’s up to you. And we will be able to help you understand all the pros and cons related to your unique hearing health.
For some people, it may be worth waiting the extra two weeks for a custom-fit device. For others, the quick results of hearing aids you can wear today will create healthy, lifelong hearing habits.
You’ve got options and that’s the good thing.