Domes, Domes, Domes – It’s All About Domes!
Whether you’re a regular hearing aid user, or you’ve just been fitted with your first hearing devices, you may have heard our team mention the term “hearing aid dome”, which is an important part of your device. Let’s dive into the different types of domes, what they’re used for, how they should fit, and how you can replace them when needed.
What’s a hearing aid dome used for?
An excellent question! The soft, small bell-shaped plastic that comes with your receiver-in-the-ear or behind-the-ear hearing device is called the hearing aid dome. It attaches to the tubing on your hearing aid and should fit snugly inside your ear. The dome helps direct the amplified sound from your hearing device straight into your ear canal.
This allows for much better sound and frequency detection, with less unnecessary noise. Just like our ears, hearing aid domes come in plenty of different shapes and sizes. It’s best to chat with one of our lovely clinicians to find the perfect dome for you.
What are the different types of domes for hearing aids?
Each hearing aid manufacturer designs their domes differently, however they generally come in three styles, each with its own purpose.
- Open domes have holes or openings that allow more natural noise to filter through to the ear canal. It allows lower frequencies to dissipate, helping improve sound quality. Open domes are usually ideal for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Closed domes block more of the ear canal than open domes do, helping to amplify low frequency sounds. These domes often work best for those with moderate hearing loss.
- Power domes provide a full seal around the ear canal, usually this offers the best results for those with severe hearing loss. They allow the maximum sound amplification with the least sound dissipation.
How do I know if my hearing aid domes fit properly?
After one of our clinicians has picked the right type of dome, the next step is choosing the right size. Domes come in a variety of sizes and diameters and, because everyone’s ears are unique, it’s important to get the right fit. So, if you’re not sure, make sure you mention it so we can get the perfect dome for you.
Your hearing aid dome should be just big enough that it forms a secure seal in your ear canal, but not so big that’s uncomfortable or puts pressure on your ear. If your dome is too large, you may feel pain in your ear, voices may sound too deep, and the dome may get lodged in your ear. If your dome is too small, it will be too easy to get in and out, it may fall out on its own, and won’t provide the quality of sound you need.
How do I change and replace my hearing aid domes?
Nervous about changing your hearing aid domes? Don’t worry, we’re always here to help. Replacing them consistently (when you notice they’ve become discoloured) means your devices will continue to work at their best. The steps may vary depending on your hearing aid, but here are the basic steps to changing your domes:
- With clean hands, hold onto the hearing aid tube or speaker and gently pull off the dome.
- Insert the tube or speaker tip into the centre of the new dome, and press firmly to ensure the dome is secure.
- That’s it! You’re ready to go.
Remember, if you’re ever unsure or need a hand, you can always call our lovely reception team at Hearing Sense on 8331 8047 or pop into one of our clinics! If you’re not comfortable changing your hearing aids
