About 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from the use of hearing aids. If you’re one of those individuals and are shopping for your first set, you may have learned about hearing aid domes and wondered if they are right for you.
Hearing aid domes are small silicone pieces that attach to the end of the hearing aid and are worn in the ear canal. The dome protects a speaker that goes deep into the ear; they usually are worn with behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Your hearing specialist can assist with custom-fitting the dome specifically for you.
Pros and Cons
Hearing aid domes aren’t appropriate for everyone with hearing loss and work best for those with mild to moderate high-frequency loss. Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is an example of an appropriate style of hearing loss. If you frequently struggle to hear your barista at Serda’s Coffee Company, presbycusis could be a factor.
One advantage to hearing aid domes is that its open fit still allows users to hear lower-frequency sounds they can already hear. Since the dome is custom-fit they also usually cannot be seen. A drawback of hearing aid domes is that they need to be replaced every two to three months. Additionally, they can accidentally get stuck in your ear if the user doesn’t remove them carefully.
Required Care
Old hearing aid domes should not be reused on new or different hearing aids, so as part of their care, you should talk to your hearing specialist if you want to change any feature about the domes or your current hearing aids. Domes are also susceptible to damage from moisture or earwax, so they require regular cleaning.
To care for them properly, you can purchase a hearing aid cleaning kit which would provide you the necessary tools to clean each component of your hearing aids. This will also allow you to clean the earwax from your hearing aids.
You can also invest in a hearing aid dryer, which will remove damaging moisture from a hearing aid. You can also remove them and lay them on a paper towel in a dry room and allow them to air dry overnight. It’s important to visually inspect your hearing aids and domes for ear wax or other buildup. Regular inspection and cleaning will help maintain and prolong their lifespan.
If you have questions about hearing aid domes or would like to get your hearing checked, contact Premier Medical Group to schedule an appointment.