You’ve been putting off calling us to see if you need hearing aids, but you’ve finally decided it’s time. Like many, you’ve been resisting this. But the stress of living life without being able to hear has finally become 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 couple of weeks for custom fit hearing aids.
That’s another two weeks struggling with those lost moments before you can start getting them back. But you could try a simple little device add on known as a hearing aid dome instead.
What are hearing aid domes?
They sound kind of grand, right? Like hearing aids fighting in some type of ancient mythical arena. Only one hearing aid can emerge victorious from the hearing aid dome.
Well, it’s a little less exciting than that. They are pretty cool though. Hearing aid domes are like little earbuds that you can place at the end of your hearing aid speaker. Usually made of silicone or plastic, they attach to the tubing of your hearing aid and fit around 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 help secure the speaker in place. That way it’s not wiggling around.
- They can help control the amount of external sound you hear, particularly when that external sound can impede the functionality of your hearing aid. When used correctly, hearing aid domes give you a bit of extra control and work to improve sound quality.
Domes for hearing aids look sort of like those bulbs at the end of your earbuds. There are multiple hearing aid dome styles, so we will help you pick the one that’s best for your situation.
What is the difference between hearing aid domes?
Open types and closed types each let in different amounts of background sound.
Hearing aid dome models include:
Open Domes
With these, more sound is able to pass through little holes in the dome. You get the benefit of amplification while still being able to process external sounds.
Closed Domes
As the name suggests, these domes have fewer openings and stop more ambient sound than open domes can. For individuals with more severe hearing loss, background noise can be really 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 outside sound can get in. These domes will be best for individuals with very severe hearing impairment.
How often should you change your hearing aid domes?
Every two to three months will be the best schedule for changing your hearing aid domes (your ears can be a bit dirty in there).
For most people, hearing aid domes can be used right out of the box. In fact, that’s one of their biggest benefits.
How will I benefit by using hearing aid buds?
Hearing aid domes are popular for a wide array of reasons. Here are a few prevailing advantages:
- No fitting time: Not having to wait is one of the best advantages of hearing aid domes. You can un-box them, put 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 solution. It’s also great for people who want to try out their hearing aids before they purchase them. With hearing aid domes, patients don’t have to sacrifice sound clarity to get quicker results.
- Everything sounds a bit more natural: By selecting the correct hearing aid dome type, you can ensure that your hearing aids generate a natural overall sound and enhanced sound clarity. Most likely, some sound will still get in and that’s the reason for this. We can help you identify the kind that’s best for you.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are pretty small, especially when they’re tucked into your ear. In this way, they can be rather discrete.
- You’re able to hear your own voice: A natural amount of sound can get through some types of hearing aid domes. This means you will still be able to hear your own voice as you naturally would. You’ll most likely wear your hearing aids more often if they sound clear and natural.
And, again, this means many individuals are more likely to wear those hearing aids more often.
Are there drawbacks 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’re not always comfortable: Some individuals are uncomfortable with the feeling of something filling their ear canal. 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. If this occurs, you’ll most likely need to come see us to get it removed.
- They can sometimes be more prone to feedback: Feedback, though not that common, occasionally does occur. This is especially true for people who are dealing with high-frequency hearing loss.
- Some types of hearing loss aren’t suited for hearing aid domes: For instance, if you have profound hearing loss or high frequency hearing loss, hearing aid domes may not be the preferred option for you. For people with high-frequency hearing loss, once again, it’s the feedback that becomes the issue. For those who have profound hearing loss, it’s really the hearing aid itself that’s the issue: you’ll need something that’s bigger and which is more powerful than the types typically associated with hearing aid domes.
Should I get hearing aid domes?
Inevitably, the choice of whether you should use hearing aid domes or not is mostly 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 personal hearing health.
For some people, it might 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 lets them start using their new hearing aids immediately.
The good thing is that you have options.