You’ve been putting off calling us to find out 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 interactions, they all finally became too much.
So when you do finally come in and then you find out that you will still need to wait another two weeks before you get your custom fit hearing aids, it can be frustrating.
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?
They sound sort of grand, 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 quite that exciting. But they are rather 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 in your ear canal. You can use them with both behind-the-ear and in-ear models. Here are the two basic functions:
- 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 jiggle around inside of your ear.
- They can help control the amount of external sound you hear, particularly when that external sound can impede the functionality of your hearing aid. Hearing aid domes work to enhance the sound quality and provide an extra bit of control when used correctly.
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 several types, and we can assist you in doing that.
What is the difference between hearing aid domes?
Open types and closed types each let in different amounts of ambient sound.
Hearing aid dome models include:
Open Domes
With these, more sound is capable of passing 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 indicates, these domes have fewer openings and block more ambient sound than open domes can. For people with more severe hearing loss, background noise can be quite distracting and this type of dome can help with that.
Power Domes
Power domes have no holes and totally block external sounds. This means virtually no sound at all can pass into the ear canal. 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 aren’t the dirtiest place, but they aren’t the cleanest, either).
Hearing aid domes can usually be worn right out of the box. As a matter of fact, that’s one of their primary advantages.
How will I benefit by using hearing aid buds?
Hearing aid domes are popular for a wide array of reasons. Here are some prevailing advantages:
- Everything sounds a bit more natural: You can be certain your hearing aids produce a clear, natural sound quality by choosing the right type of hearing aid domes. That’s because some sound will still (likely) get through. Once again, this depends on the type of dome, and we will help you with this.
- 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’re more likely to use your hearing aids more often if they sound clear and natural.
- Hearing aid domes can be more discrete: Hearing aid domes are fairly small, particularly when they’re tucked into your ear. In this way, they can be pretty discrete.
- No fitting time: One of the most popular (and immediate) advantages of hearing aid domes is that you don’t have to wait. You can un-box them, pop them on your hearing aid and you’re good to go. For people who don’t want to wait for custom fit hearing aids, it’s the ideal option. And if you want to try out a hearing aid before you purchase it, they’re great for that too. With hearing aid domes, you don’t have to sacrifice sound clarity to get faster results.
And again, this will mean you’re less likely to leave your hearing aid sitting in a drawer.
Are there 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 deciding. Here are a few of the most prevalent:
- They can sometimes be uncomfortable: Having something plugging the ear canal can be really uncomfortable for some people. Hearing specialists call this sensation “occlusion,” and some people can find it extremely uncomfortable. Additionally, if you pull your hearing aid dome out too fast (or don’t clean it frequently enough), there’s the chance that it may separate from the tubing and get stuck 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 isn’t necessarily typical, but it can happen. For people who are dealing with high frequency hearing loss, this is particularly true.
- Not suitable for all types of hearing loss: For instance, if you are suffering from profound hearing loss or high frequency hearing loss, hearing aid domes may not be the preferred solution for you. For people with high-frequency hearing loss, once again, it’s the feedback that becomes the problem. For people with profound hearing loss, it’s really the hearing aid itself that’s the problem: you’ll require something that’s larger and which has more power than the types 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. It’s up to you but we can help. And we will go over your specific needs and help advise you on the pros and cons.
For some people, it might be worth waiting the extra couple of weeks for a custom-fit device. Others will create healthy lifelong hearing habits by opting for a solution that lets them begin using their new hearing aids immediately.
The nice thing is that you have options.