You’ve been avoiding calling us to find out if you need hearing aids, but you’ve finally decided it’s time. You have been resisting this like so many others. But the hassle, the lost moments, the missing conversations, they all finally became too hard to ignore.
So it’s a little disheartening when you’re at the hearing specialist’s office and you learn that you’re going to need to wait another two weeks for custom fit hearing aids.
That means that you will be losing some of life’s treasured moments for two more weeks. However, there is another alternative: a deceptively simple device add-on, called hearing aid domes.
What exactly is a hearing aid dome?
Doesn’t that sound sort of epic? 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 quite that thrilling. They are pretty cool though. Hearing aid domes go on the end of your hearing aid speakers like little earbuds. Typically made of plastic or silicone, they fit over that little part that goes inside your ear canal, connecting to the tubing of your hearing aid. They’re made for behind-the-ear or inside-the-ear-canal style hearing aids. Here are the two basic functions:
- They assure that the speaker of the hearing aid is sitting in an optimal position in your ear. And they secure the speaker so it won’t jiggle around in your ear.
- They can help limit the amount of outside sound you hear, especially when that external sound can impede the functionality of your hearing aid. When used correctly, hearing aid domes give you a bit of extra control and work to enhance sound clarity.
Those little bulbs at the end of earbuds are similar to hearing aid domes. You will have to select the hearing aid dome that’s best for you from several kinds, and we can assist you in doing that.
What is the difference between hearing aid domes?
Open types and closed types each let in different levels of background sound.
Hearing aid domes come in different types, including:
Open Domes
These have holes in the dome that allow more outside sound to get through and into your ears. You get the benefit 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, background noise can be quite distracting and this type of dome can help with that.
Power Domes
Power domes totally block the ear canal and have no venting. With these, almost no outside sound can get in. These are most practical for extremely profound hearing loss.
How frequently 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 can be a bit dirty in there).
Hearing aid domes can typically be worn 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 prevalent. Here are some common benefits:
- The outside world sounds more clear and natural: You can be certain your hearing aids create a clear, natural sound quality by choosing the right type of hearing aid domes. That’s because some sound will still (probably) get in. Once again, this depends on the style of dome, and we can help you with this.
- No fitting time: Not having to wait is one of the greatest advantages of hearing aid domes. You can pop them in and use your hearing aid immediately. For people who don’t want to wait for custom fit hearing aids, it’s the ideal solution. It’s also good for people who want to try out their hearing aids before they purchase them. For people who want faster results, hearing aid domes can provide a way to accomplish that without sacrificing the quality of your sound clarity.
- You’re able to hear your own voice: A natural amount of sound can get through some types of hearing aid domes. So you will still be able to hear your own voice. You’re more likely to use your hearing aids more if they sound clear and natural.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are pretty small, particularly when they’re tucked into your ear. They’re pretty discrete in this way.
And, once again, this means many individuals are more likely to use those hearing aids more often.
Are there drawbacks 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 deciding. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- They can at times be uncomfortable: Having something plugging the ear canal can be very uncomfortable for some people. Some individuals find this feeling, called “occlusion” by hearing specialist, extremely uncomfortable. Also, your hearing aid dome can get lodged in your ear if you pull it out too fast or if you don’t keep it clean. 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 common, but it can occur. For people who are dealing with high frequency hearing loss, this is especially true.
- 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 people with high-frequency hearing loss, once again, it’s the feedback that becomes the problem. It’s the hearing aid itself that’s an issue with profound hearing loss: you’ll need something that’s larger and which is more powerful than the types commonly 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. It’s your choice but we can help. And we will go over your specific needs and help advise you on the pros and cons.
For some individuals, it may be worth waiting the extra couple of weeks for a custom-fit device. For others, the quick results of hearing aids you can use today will build healthy, lifelong hearing habits.
You have options and that’s the nice thing.