Do I have to stick with Siemens domes or will other(less expensive) manufacturers fit my pmx7? Then how do you know what size to wear, other than trying different ones over a period of time to see which ones feel best? Mine were mail order so … no audio fitting obtained.
I wear two different sizes.
I too would like to know this answer.
I don’t know for sure, but I’m skeptical. My KS7s use Signia/Siemens/Rexton domes and they’re “click domes” I tried an Oticon dome on it and it fell off in my ear! Would love to hear from somebody who really knows.
Some people have reported success with different manufacturer’s domes on their aids in the past. I think if the receivers were of similar size at the tip then this would help. Having a dome come off in your ear canal would not be fun so I guess you have to test how secure it is.
It seemed secure, but you’re correct, it was not “fun.”
The dome size is dependent upon the size of your ear canal. The audiologist usually makes an educated guess based on visual inspection. I started with medium and found that the smaller size made me nauseous. Different brands definitely differ in their comfort factor. I found the Phonak domes much more comfortable than the Resound. They are softer/less stiff.
Make sure you stick with the same type eg. Open vs closed vs tulip etc. HAs have to be reprogrammed if you alter the type of dome. They are fairly cheap so it probably would not cost you much to experiment. Just make sure they are a snug fit to the receiver and will not fall off in your ear canal.
I have used Oticon domes on my Phonaks. They seem interchangeable.
(Educated) trial and error seems to be the way to go. Often the audiologist/HIS where you got your HAs will carry different brands and sizes of domes.
I started with Widex domes and “anchor” plastic thingies. I ditched the anchors and, after about 2-3 years am now using Phonak domes. I stopped trying different domes about a year ago.
What others have said about the receivers is correct. Also, if you find domes that work and fit your receivers, check the fit with the receiver periodically. I ended up with one lodged in my canal because it became loose on the receiver. I’m no longer worried about a repeat of the wayward dome as I check the fit when I clean them and remove them from my ear more carefully now.
Hope this helps.
KermitTFrog: You didn’t say what brand HA’s you have.
at the end of the day it’s rubber(or sometihng like that, shoot me), it might not fit tightly , but depending on your canal it might not matter and still give proper grip and sound.
I had Phonak HA’s and hated the domes that came with them. My Audi just put Oticon domes on,they fitted perfectly and never fell off ever.
So I looked back in KermitTFrog’s post history and saw that he appears to have Widex HA’s.
To summarize things so far to the moment…Widex, Phonak, Oticon seem to be interchangeable.
Not getting into specifics of course as we don’t have that here.
So maybe William Demant, Sonova and Widex work.
Can we hear from Sivantos, Starkey and GN Resound.
Or of course if any of the other brands or sub-brands have been found to work for any other brands.
Oops. Widex C4-PA. My first pair were Wides PA-440. Both pair are “hand-me-downs” from a very generous relative.
I’ve tried, with varying degrees of success/failure, Widex domes (older and newer styles), Oticon, Phonak and some “unknown brands”.
None have been perfect, but the Phonak domes I’m using currently seem the best of what I’ve tried. Challenges have included: exposed earwax traps getting clogged quickly (esp. older Widex domes), wires/receivers falling out of ear (nearly lost the aid when that happened), canal irritation (newer Widex domes, anchors), and one dome coming loose from the receiver and lodging deep in the canal (removed by audiologist). Oddly enough the dome that came loose was a Phonak, but I know why - user error largely to blame.
I’ll update a bit from what I just read on another thread. It looks like Oticon (Wm Demant), Phonak (Sonova), GN Resound and Widex are all compatible. Sivantos (Signia and Rexton) is definitely not as they use click domes and sleeves. Didn’t see anything regarding Starkey. Do exercise caution though when experimenting and get the domes on securely before putting in your ear.
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Wondering if anybody has any experience trying domes from different manufacturers with Phonak Marvels? They are using a new style of domes (SDS4) and they aren’t compatible with domes for older Phonak models. There’s a diagram on this web page that shows the difference in the attachment to the receiver. https://www.hab.online/product/phonak-sds4-domes/
In my case it was the reverse: I had Phonaks and was used to those domes, then got Oticon HAs. The old Phonak domes fit with no problem.
Be careful using different manufacturers domes on your hearing aids. There is a greater chance of them ending up stuck in your ear. I nearly always try to use custom tips suitable for the hearing loss with most of my people. Better fit, usually decent retention, less feedback and custom to your ear.
Other manufacturer domes aren’t compatible with Sivantos stuff
I’ve used Phonak and ReSound domes on Oticon OPN S1 and S3 receivers. I also used Oticon domes on Phonak Marvels. Haven’t had issue of losing a dome in my ear as yet with any of those combinations.
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@geo_C it’s irrelevant now, as I have a custom mold with my Resound.
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