After months (possibly even years) of waiting, you’ve finally resolved to contact us to see if you need hearing aids. You have been resisting this like so many others. 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 frustrating.
That’s another two weeks coping with those lost moments before you can begin getting them back. Of course, there is another option: a deceptively simple device add-on, known as hearing aid domes.
What exactly is a hearing aid dome?
They sound kind of grand, right? Like hearing aids dueling in some type of ancient mythical arena. Only one hearing aid can come forth victorious from the hearing aid dome.
It’s not really that thrilling. They are rather cool though. Hearing aid domes go on the end of your hearing aid speakers like little earbuds. Usually made out of silicone or plastic, they connect to the tubing of your hearing aid and fit around the part that goes inside of your ear canal. They’re made for both behind-the-ear or inside-the-ear-canal models of hearing aids. 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 position the speaker so it won’t move around in your ear.
- They can help control the amount of outside sound you hear, especially when that outside sound can interfere with the functionality of your hearing aid. Hearing aid domes work to improve the sound quality and offer an extra bit of control when used properly.
Those small bulbs at the end of earbuds are a lot like hearing aid domes. 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 levels of ambient sound.
Hearing aid domes come in different kinds, including:
Open Domes
With these, more sound is able to pass through little holes in the dome. This helps your ear process ambient 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 a distraction.
Power Domes
Power domes totally block the ear canal and have no holes. With these, almost no outside sound can get in. These are most practical for very profound hearing loss.
How frequently should you change your hearing aid domes?
For best effect, you should swap out your hearing aid domes every 2-3 months (your ears can be a bit dirty in there).
Hearing aid domes can typically be worn right out of the box. That’s one of the best things about them.
How will I benefit by wearing hearing aid buds?
There are a number of reasons why hearing aid domes are popular. Here are a few prevailing advantages:
- No fitting time: Not needing to wait is one of the best benefits of hearing aid domes. You can put them in and wear your hearing aid immediately. This is a perfect option for people who don’t want to wait weeks for custom fit hearing aids. It’s also great for people who want to demo their hearing aids before they buy them. With hearing aid domes, patients don’t need to sacrifice sound clarity to get faster results.
- 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 capable of hearing your own voice. This makes the clarity of sound seem a lot more natural, which means you’re more likely to wear your hearing aids far more often.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are pretty small, particularly when they’re tucked inside your ear. In this way, they can be rather discrete.
- Everything sounds a bit more natural: By finding the right hearing aid dome type, you can be certain that your hearing aids produce a natural overall sound and improved sound clarity. More than likely, some sound will still get in and that’s the reason for this. Again, this depends on the style of dome, and we can help you with this.
And again, this will mean you’re less likely to leave your hearing aid sitting on your nightstand.
What are the drawbacks to hearing aid domes?
As with any hearing device or medical treatment, there are some downsides and trade-offs to hearing aid domes, trade=offs you’ll want to think about before deciding. Among the most common are the following:
- They’re not always comfortable: Having something plugging the ear canal can be really unpleasant for some people. Some individuals find this sensation, called “occlusion” by hearing specialist, extremely uncomfortable. Also, your hearing aid dome can get stuck in your ear if you pull it out too fast or if you don’t keep it clean. You’ll most likely 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 does happen. This is especially true for people who have high-frequency hearing loss.
- Some types 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 solution for you. Once again, the feedback can become an issue with high frequency hearing loss. For individuals who have 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.
Should I get hearing aid domes?
It’s mostly a personal decision whether you use hearing aid domes. We can help but it’s up to you. And we will discuss your specific needs and help advise you on the pros and cons.
Some individuals might be better off waiting for a custom fitting. Others will create healthy lifelong hearing habits by opting for a solution that lets them start using their new hearing aids immediately.
The good thing is that you’ve got options.