One of the greatest challenges for people who struggle with hearing loss is finding an adequate listening device. Back in the day, they used to rely on a hearing trumpet to encourage sound to funnel directly to the inner ear.

However, with the latest developments in technology, manufacturers of hearing aids have improved their devices and have added new features and capabilities that make sounds more clear and consistent. 

A feature that has gained a lot of popularity recently is the hearing aid domes. Generally speaking, the aid dome is a bell-shaped piece of plastic that is attached to the end of a hearing aid’s tube. It is rather small and can easily make it inside the ear canal in conjunction with a behind-the-ear type of hearing aid.

Keep reading to find out what the purpose and benefits of these domes are as well as the few types they come in.

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Purpose of hearing aid domes

The main purpose of hearing aid domes is to direct the amplified sound from the hearing device directly into the ear canal. Depending on what type of behind-the-ear hearing aid you have, the sound amplification starts with the small processor behind the ear as soon as the sound waves are received through the microphone.

As the sound is being processed, it goes back to the dome through the tiny tube, resulting in greater sound and frequency detection, with a lot less unnecessary noise.   

The domes come in a wide range of sizes and types and are best suited for people who struggle with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Types of hearing aid domes

There are three types of hearing aid domes, with each one serving a slightly different purpose. Here is a brief explanation of each style.

Open domes

The open-style domes are mainly intended for people who have a high-frequency loss and don’t need amplification in the lower frequencies. The domes have multiple openings which allow natural noise to filter through to the ear canal while preventing the feeling of occlusion, also known as the booming echo in one’s ear.

Closed domes

The closed style domes, also known as tulip domes, are one whole piece of rubber that surrounds the receiver and is inserted straight into the ear canal. These domes have less venting which results in better amplification of lower frequency sounds and reduced feedback. The venting also helps mitigate the occlusion effect.

Power domes

The power style domes have little to no venting which makes a full seal on the ear canal. There isn’t any airflow or natural sound and that results in a more severe occlusion effect. However, despite these drawbacks, this type has little disturbance and provides the best sound amplification. That’s why it is reserved for those with the most challenging hearing loss condition.

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Benefits of hearing aid domes

Hearing aid domes offer people with hearing loss lots of benefits, with the following being the most prominent ones.

Boost sound with the right frequency

No matter what style of domes you choose, the greatest benefit you will get is a boosted sound and greater frequency range detection with reduced feedback. This is mainly due to the venting which allows natural sound and airflow to come into the ear, producing a clear sound.

More compact

Another great benefit of the domes is that they fit nicely inside the ear canal due to their compact size. Depending on the curves of your ear canal, you can choose the size and style of dome that best suits you so you will get the results you are looking for.

Easy to maintain

Despite contrary belief, domes are actually very easy to maintain. To clean them, all you need is to wipe them down every day with a soft cloth after using them. When you aren’t wearing them, store the domes in a protective case. They are also very affordable and can be easily replaced.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for a listening device or feature that will help improve your hearing condition, then don’t hesitate to look for the latest development of the hearing aid domes. These small, bell-shaped pieces are attached to the end of a hearing aid’s tube and provide amplified sounds with greater frequency and reduced feedback. They are an excellent option for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss and offer lots of benefits.

For more information about this hearing device feature, refer back to our post and learn about the main use of hearing aid domes.