After months (possibly even years) of waiting, you’ve finally decided to contact us to see if you need hearing aids. You have been resisting this like so many other people. 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 find out that you will still need to wait another couple of weeks before you get your custom fit hearing aids, it can be disheartening.
That’s another two weeks dealing with those lost moments before you can start getting them back. But you could try a simple little device add on called a hearing aid dome instead.
What exactly is a hearing aid dome?
Doesn’t that sound kind of epic? Like hearing aids fighting in some type of ancient mythological arena. Welcome to the Hearing Aid Dome: Two hearing aids enter…but only one leaves!
Well, it’s a bit less exciting than that. But they are rather neat. Hearing aid domes are put on the end of your hearing aid speakers like little earbuds. Typically made of plastic or silicone, they fit around that little bit that goes in your ear canal, connecting to the tubing of your hearing aid. You can use them with both behind-the-ear and in-ear models. And they basically do two things:
- They position the hearing aid speaker (the part that you listen to) in the most effective position within your ear canal. And they help keep the speaker in place. That way it’s not moving around.
- On occasion, outside sound can impede the sound of your hearing aid and hearing aid domes help stop that by controlling the amount of outside sound. When properly used, hearing aid domes provide you with some extra control and work to enhance sound clarity.
Domes for hearing aids look sort 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
Open types and closed types each let in different levels of ambient sound.
Hearing aid domes come in different kinds, including:
Open Domes
With these, more sound is capable of passing through little holes in the dome. This helps your ear process natural sounds while still getting the advantage of amplification.
Closed Domes
These domes let less outside sound in through fewer and smaller holes. These are better for more pronounced hearing loss where ambient noise can be distracting.
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.
Do hearing aid domes need to be changed?
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 used right out of the box. As a matter of fact, that’s one of their primary advantages.
How will I benefit by wearing hearing aid buds?
There are numerous reasons why hearing aid domes are prevalent. Here are some prevailing benefits:
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes aren’t very big, particularly when they’re in your ear. In this way, they can be rather discrete.
- The external 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. Most likely, some sound will still get in and that’s the reason for this. We can help you identify the type that’s best for you.
- No fitting time: Not having to wait is one of the greatest benefits of hearing aid domes. You can un-box them, pop them on your hearing aid and you’re ready to go. For individuals who don’t want to wait for custom fit hearing aids, it’s the ideal option. It’s also good for people who want to demo their hearing aids before they buy them. For people who want results faster, hearing aid domes can provide a way to achieve that without compromising the quality of your sound clarity.
- You’re able to hear your own voice: Some hearing aid domes are created to let a natural amount of sound come in. This means you can still hear your own voice as you normally would. This makes the clarity of sound seem a lot more natural, which means you’re more likely to use your hearing aids far more often.
And again, this will mean you’re less 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 downsides and trade-offs that come with hearing aid domes. Here are a few of the most prevalent:
- They can sometimes be uncomfortable: Some individuals don’t like the feeling of something filling their ear canal. Hearing specialists call this sensation “occlusion,” and some people can find it extremely uncomfortable. In addition, if you pull your hearing aid dome out too quickly (or don’t clean it often enough), there’s the chance that it might 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, though not that common, sometimes does happen. This is especially true for people 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 may not be the best option for you. For people with high-frequency hearing loss, again, it’s the feedback that becomes the issue. It’s the hearing aid itself that’s a problem with profound hearing loss: you’ll need something that’s bigger and which is more powerful than the styles typically associated with hearing aid domes.
Should I get hearing aid domes?
It’s largely a personal decision whether you use hearing aid domes. It’s your choice but we can help. And we will discuss your individual needs and help advise you on the pros and cons.
Some people may be better off waiting for a custom fitting. Others will build healthy lifelong hearing habits by opting for a solution that allows them to begin using their new hearing aids immediately.
You’ve got options and that’s the good thing.