Hearing aid users with receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids are likely familiar with domes, the soft silicon tips that cover the hearing aid receiver, or speaker. Domes come in various shapes and sizes, and changing from one dome to another can have a significant impact on sound.
The first consideration when selecting the size of dome is the hearing aid user’s physical comfort. If the dome is not comfortable, it will be difficult for the person to regularly wear the hearing aid. Hearing aid users with particularly sensitive ears may have to use smaller domes or custom-fit tips, which can be made after taking ear impressions.
When selecting the type or shape of dome, we look at the degree of hearing loss that a person has and the subsequent risk of feedback, the whistling sound that we typically associate with older hearing aids. While modern hearing aids have sophisticated algorithms to digitally reduce or eliminate feedback, over-relying on digital feedback reduction can impact sound quality and hearing aid performance. Reducing the risk of feedback as much as possible by selecting the appropriate dome is essential before relying on digital feedback reduction.
After selecting a dome that is comfortable and appropriate for the degree of hearing loss, we then perform real ear measures, the gold standard when it comes to verifying the fit of a hearing aid. Real ear measures will tell us exactly how the hearing aid is amplifying different sounds. We can use that information to make adjustments to optimize speech clarity and comfort.
As a person’s hearing changes, we often change from one dome to another in order to provide the appropriate amount of amplification. If your audiologist has changed the domes on your hearing aids and reprogrammed them, be sure to use the new domes whenever you replace them. If you put the older style of dome on, it might cause your hearing aids to start whistling, sound tinny, or make things sound too loud or soft.
While they may seem insignificant, domes are a key ingredient to hearing aid success. To help keep your hearing aids working optimally, you should clean the domes with a cloth or tissue every few days and change them every 2-3 months. If you are running low on domes or are unsure which domes you should be using, drop in to either of our locations and we can help you out.