You’ve been putting off 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 other people. But the hassle, the lost moments, the missing conversations, they all finally became too hard to ignore.
So when you do finally come in and then you learn that you will still need to wait another two weeks before you obtain your custom fit hearing aids, it can be disheartening.
That’s another two weeks struggling with those lost moments before you can begin getting them back. But you could try a simple little device add on called a hearing aid dome instead.
What are hearing aid domes?
They sound kind of epic, right? Like some type of arena where hearing aids duel in ancient, mythical combat. Only one hearing aid can emerge victorious from the hearing aid dome.
It’s not really that exciting. But they are pretty neat. Hearing aid domes are like tiny earbuds that you can place on the end of your hearing aid speaker. Usually made out of silicone or plastic, they connect to the tubing of your hearing aid and fit on the part that goes in your ear canal. You can use them on both behind-the-ear and in-ear models. And they basically do two things:
- They guarantee that the speaker of the hearing aid is seated in an ideal position in your ear. And they position the speaker so it won’t jiggle around inside of your ear.
- They can help limit the amount of external sound you hear, especially when that outside sound can impede the function of your hearing aid. Hearing aid domes work to improve the sound quality and provide an extra bit of control when used correctly.
Those little bulbs at the end of earbuds are a lot like hearing aid domes. You will have to choose the hearing aid dome that’s ideal for you from several types, 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
These have openings in the dome that allow more natural sound to get through and into your ears. This helps your ear process ambient sounds along with the advantage of amplification.
Closed Domes
These domes let less outside sound in through fewer and smaller holes. For individuals with more profound hearing loss, background noise can be very 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, almost no external sound can get in. These domes will be best for people with extremely severe hearing impairment.
How often should you change your hearing aid domes?
For best effect, you should swap out your hearing aid domes every 2-3 months (your ears aren’t the dirtiest place, but they aren’t the cleanest, either).
For most individuals, hearing aid domes can 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 prevalent. The most common benefits include the following:
- 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 pretty discrete.
- No fitting time: Not needing to wait is one of the best advantages of hearing aid domes. You can un-box them, pop them on your hearing aid and you’re good to go. For individuals who don’t want to wait for custom fit hearing aids, it’s the best solution. And if you want to try out a hearing aid before you purchase it, they’re good for that too. For patients who want results faster, hearing aid domes can provide a way to accomplish that without sacrificing the quality of your sound clarity.
- The external world sounds more clear and natural: You can be certain your hearing aids produce 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. Again, this depends on the type of dome, and we will help you with this.
- You’re able to hear your own voice: Some hearing aid domes are created to let a natural level of sound come in. So you will still be capable of hearing your own voice. You’re more likely to use your hearing aids more if they sound clear and natural.
And, again, this means many individuals are more likely to wear those hearing aids more often.
What are the drawbacks to hearing aid domes?
As with any hearing device or medical procedure, there are some drawbacks and trade-offs to hearing aid domes, trade=offs you’ll want to consider before making a decision. Among the most prevalent are the following:
- They can at times be uncomfortable: Some people are uncomfortable with the feeling of something filling their ear canal. Some people find this sensation, 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. If this occurs, you’ll likely need to come see us to get it removed.
- Sometimes, they can cause feedback: Feedback, though not really common, sometimes does happen. This is especially true for people who are dealing with high-frequency hearing loss.
- Not ideal for all forms of hearing loss: As an example, hearing aid domes won’t be the best choice if you have high frequency hearing loss or profound hearing loss. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, 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 require something that’s larger and which has more power than the styles commonly associated with hearing aid domes.
So are hearing aid domes right for me?
Inevitably, the decision of whether you should use hearing aid domes or not is largely a personal one. We can help but it’s up to you. And we will be able to walk you through all the pros and cons related to your unique hearing health.
For some individuals, it might be worth waiting the extra two weeks for a custom-fit device. For others, the quick results of hearing aids you can use today will build healthy, lifelong hearing habits.
The nice thing is that you’ve got options.