After months (maybe even years) of waiting, you’ve finally decided to give us a call to find out if you need hearing aids. Like many other people, you’ve been resisting this. But the stress 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 need to wait another couple of weeks before you obtain 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. Of course, there is another alternative: a deceptively simple device add-on, called hearing aid domes.
What are hearing aid domes?
Doesn’t that sound kind of epic? Like some type of arena where hearing aids duel in ancient, mythological combat. Welcome to the Hearing Aid Dome: Two hearing aids enter…but only one leaves!
Well, it’s a little less thrilling than that. But they are pretty neat. Hearing aid domes go on the end of your hearing aid speakers like tiny earbuds. Usually made of silicone or plastic, they attach 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 style hearing aids. Here are the two general functions:
- They assure that the speaker of the hearing aid is sitting in an ideal position in your ear. And they help keep the speaker in place. That way it’s not moving around.
- They can help control the amount of outside sound you hear, particularly when that outside sound can impede the function of your hearing aid. When used correctly, hearing aid domes give you some 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 choose the hearing aid dome that’s ideal for you from several types, and we can assist you in doing that.
Different types of hearing aid domes
Most come in open and closed styles, each letting in more or less 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 benefit of amplification.
Closed Domes
These domes let less outside sound in through fewer and smaller holes. These are better for more advanced hearing loss where ambient noise can be a distraction.
Power Domes
Power domes have no holes and completely block external sounds. This means very little to no sound at all can get into the ear canal. These domes will be ideal for individuals with extremely severe hearing loss.
How often 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 used right out of the box. That’s one of the greatest things about them.
What are the advantages of hearing aid domes?
There are numerous reasons why hearing aid domes are popular. The most widespread advantages include the following:
- You can hear your own voice: Some hearing aid domes are created to let a natural level of sound get through. So you will still be capable of hearing your own voice. This makes the clarity of sound feel much more natural, which means you’re more likely to wear your hearing aids far more often.
- The outside world sounds more clear and natural: By finding the correct hearing aid dome type, you can guarantee that your hearing aids produce a natural overall sound and improved sound clarity. Most likely, some sound will still get in and that’s the reason for this. Once again, this depends on the type of dome, and we will help you with this.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are fairly small, especially when they’re tucked inside your ear. They’re rather discrete in this way.
- No fitting time: One of the most prominent (and immediate) advantages of hearing aid domes is that you don’t have to wait. You can un-box them, put them on your hearing aid and you’re ready to go. This is an ideal solution for people who don’t want to wait weeks for custom fit hearing aids. And if you want to try out a hearing aid before you buy it, they’re great for that too. For people who want results faster, hearing aid domes can provide a way to achieve that without compromising the quality of your sound clarity.
And, 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 treatment, 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 common are the following:
- They’re not always comfortable: Having something plugging the ear canal can be really unpleasant for some individuals. Hearing specialists call this sensation “occlusion,” and some individuals can find it intensely uncomfortable. In addition, if you pull your hearing aid dome out too fast (or don’t clean it frequently enough), there’s the chance that it might separate from the tubing and get lodged in your ear canal. You’ll probably need to come in and see us to get it removed if this happens.
- Sometimes, they can cause feedback: Feedback, though not really common, occasionally does occur. This is particularly true for individuals who are dealing with high-frequency hearing loss.
- Not suitable for all forms of hearing loss: For example, if you have profound hearing loss or high frequency hearing loss, hearing aid domes may not be the best solution for you. For people with high-frequency hearing loss, once again, it’s the feedback that becomes the issue. For people 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 has more power than the styles typically associated with hearing aid domes.
Should I get hearing aid domes?
Ultimately, the choice of whether you should use hearing aid domes or not is largely a personal one. It’s your choice but we can help. And we will be able to help you understand all the pros and cons pertaining to your unique hearing health.
For some individuals, it may be worth waiting the extra couple of weeks for a custom-fit device. Others will build healthy lifelong hearing habits by opting for a solution that allows them to begin using their new hearing aids immediately.
The nice thing is that you have options.
