You’ve been putting off calling us to see if you need hearing aids, but you’ve finally decided it’s time. You’ve been resisting this like so many other people. But the inconvenience, the lost moments, the missing conversations, they all finally became too much.
So it’s a bit frustrating when you’re sitting in the hearing specialist’s office and you find out that you’re going to need to wait another two weeks for custom fit hearing aids.
That means that you will be missing some of life’s precious moments for two more weeks. Of course, there is another option: 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 hearing aids dueling in some type of ancient mythological arena. Only one hearing aid can come forth victorious from the hearing aid dome.
It’s not quite that thrilling. But they are pretty neat. Hearing aid domes are like little earbuds that you can place on the end of your hearing aid speaker. Usually made of silicone or plastic, they connect to the tubing of your hearing aid and fit on the part that goes into your ear canal. You can use them on both behind-the-ear and in-ear models. Here are the two basic functions:
- They situate the hearing aid speaker (the part that you listen to) in an optimal position inside of your ear canal. And they secure the speaker so it won’t move around inside of your ear.
- They can help limit the amount of external sound you hear, particularly when that external sound can interfere with the function of your hearing aid. When used correctly, hearing aid domes offer you a bit of extra control and work to enhance sound quality.
Domes for hearing aids look kind of like those bulbs at the end of your earbuds. You will have to choose the hearing aid dome that’s ideal for you from a number of types, and we can help you do that.
Different types of hearing aid domes
Open types and closed types each let in different levels of background sound.
Hearing aid dome models include:
Open Domes
These have openings in the dome that allow more natural sound to pass through and into your ears. This helps your ear process natural sounds while still getting the advantage of amplification.
Closed Domes
These domes let less external sound in through fewer and smaller holes. For individuals with more significant hearing loss, ambient noise can be quite distracting and this type of dome can help with that.
Power Domes
Power domes have no holes and completely block external sounds. With these, almost no external sound can get in. These are most effective for extremely severe 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 aren’t the dirtiest place, but they aren’t the cleanest, either).
For most individuals, hearing aid domes can 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 a number of reasons why hearing aid domes are prevalent. Here are a few common advantages:
- You’re able to hear your own voice: Some hearing aid domes are designed to let a natural amount of sound come in. This means you will still be able to hear your own voice as you naturally would. You’ll most likely use your hearing aids more often if they sound clear and natural.
- No fitting time: One of the most prominent (and immediate) advantages of hearing aid domes is that you don’t need to wait. You can pop them in and use your hearing aid right away. For people who don’t want to wait for custom fit hearing aids, it’s the best solution. It’s also good for individuals who want to demo their hearing aids before they buy them. With hearing aid domes, patients don’t have to sacrifice sound clarity to get quicker results.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are pretty small, particularly when they’re tucked into your ear. They’re rather discrete in this way.
- Everything sounds a little more natural: By choosing the best hearing aid dome type, you can guarantee that your hearing aids produce a natural overall sound and enhanced sound clarity. Most likely, some sound will still get through and that’s the reason for this. Again, this depends on the type of dome, and we can help you with this.
And again, this will mean you’re not as likely to leave your hearing aid sitting in a drawer.
Are there downsides to hearing aid domes?
You’ll want to be mindful of some of the drawbacks and trade-offs that come with hearing aid domes. Among the most common are the following:
- They aren’t always comfortable: Having something plugging the ear canal can be extremely uncomfortable for some individuals. 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 quickly 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.
- They can occasionally be more prone to feedback: Feedback isn’t necessarily typical, but it does occur. For individuals who have high frequency hearing loss, this is especially true.
- Some forms of hearing loss aren’t suitable for hearing aid domes: For example, if you are suffering from profound hearing loss or high frequency hearing loss, hearing aid domes might not be the preferred option for you. Again, the feedback can become a problem with high frequency hearing loss. For individuals who have profound hearing loss, it’s really the hearing aid itself that’s the problem: you’ll need something that’s bigger and which is more powerful than the styles commonly associated with hearing aid domes.
Should I use hearing aid domes?
Inevitably, the decision of whether you should use hearing aid domes or not is largely a personal one. We can help but it’s your choice. And we will be able to walk you through all the pros and cons pertaining to your unique hearing health.
Some individuals might do better waiting for a custom fitting. For others, the immediate results of hearing aids you can use today will build healthy, lifelong hearing habits.
You have options and that’s the nice thing.