Has anyone had experience with both tulip domes and custom earmolds? Which did you find more comfortable, both physically and in terms of sound? I’ve had mild high frequency loss since around the age of 17, and was recently fitted with a Siemens BTE hearing aid. Initially, I tried open fit as I was, and still am, self conscious of wearing an aid at 25, but the sound was tinny and feedback was a problem. I’ve switched to a closed dome, and while the feedback is gone, comfort is still an issue. The dome either slides too far into my ear canal, leaving my ear sore, or pops out. I have an appointment for next week to get an impression made for a custom mold, and I was wondering what everyone else’s reviews are. My loss is still pretty mild, peaking around 40 or 45 db at 2000 and 4000 hz, so I thought open fit would be an option. In the meantime, what can I do to feel more comfortable about showing my aid? I still have a hard time wearing my hair up, even around my boyfriend.
Well I have never worn the domes, my loss doesn’t allow it so I can’t make the comparison. But I can tell you about custom ear molds which I have been wearing for years. First the obvious and that is that they are custom just for you. The normal procedure is that after the mold is made of your ear they are then sent in to have the actual ear mold to be made, figure a few days to around 10 days to be returned., Once placed into the ear you will find that they probably go in deeper into your ears then the domes. They will fit more snug then the domes. I use a product called miracell which aids in the sliding of the molds in and out of my ear. There should be no feedback. There should be no gradual feeling of any kind of pain, which would imply that the molds don’t fit properly. Not necessarily the fault of the audiologist. They should eventually be so comfortable that you forget you have them it. They should not slide around in your ear whenever you move your mouth. They of course will be more noticeable then the domes but whether you realize it or not, if you need aids then you probably weren’t fooling anyone about your loss except maybe you.
I’ve worn both and the custom earmolds are much better. With my hearing loss I don’t have too many options but in the past I would wear custom instead of “generic”. I get better sound quality and frequency response and you probably would too. Irritation usually gets better with time but consult your audi for help with ear canal problems. With your mild loss you are also a candidate for an open-fit style ear mold.
ofsounds: The vanity thing gets better with time. Hang in there and try to be patient. Modern, mini-BTEs are very discreet. In the long run you’ll see this “weakness” as a strength. Promise.
Thanks for the positive feedback! Like I said, I have an appointment to get a custom mold made next week and I’m feeling a lot less anxious about it. The receptionist said my audiologist will go over the different styles, materials and colors with me before I make my choice, so I was glad to hear there are so many options available. I’m thinking of getting a colored mold to compliment my fuchsia hearing aid. While I’m still getting used to the idea of wearing a hearing aid, I noticed today when I wore my hair up that a lot more people speak clearly when they see it, so letting it show can only be beneficial. I look forward to writing an update when I get my custom mold.
I had issues with the domes not fitting well also, I switched to the small domes and I find them to fit better. They still need to be out back in a few times a day, esp. after using the phone.
With mild loss feedback should not be an issue. I am no expert but it seams to be an issue with the Siemens aids, you may want to try a different brand. For what these things cost you need to be satisfied with there performance or they will end up in your dresser and not you ears.
PS. Wear them with pride, the only people that will notice are those that either have them or need them!
When I first got the aid, I used an open dome which was both uncomfortable and caused feedback. I couldn’t use my louder, indoor program with the feedback it produced. I now use a closed dome with a slim tube, and the aid only squeals a little when I take it out, but it’s still physically uncomfortable. I was resistant to a standard mold because of visibility, but I need a less irritating piece in my ear.
Glad to hear your attitude change when you notice people see your aid so they then speak up. I could sit here forever and tell you that your hearing loss is nothing to be ashamed of but I remember when I was in my 20’s and getting my first aids and thinking that I’ll look like an old man, no offense to anyone since I am now becoming an old man. Let the aids show and if are still struggling to hear, speak up and let the person know you have a hearing problem. I consider it my a__hole detector. If I explain to a person my problem and ask him or her to please do certain things so I can hear them better and they don’t, well then he or she is an a__hole.
I had the domes and found them uncomfortable and the sound tinny with my Phonaks. I struggled with them for about a year with frequent adjustments but they never felt or sounded right to me. I got some new soft acrylic ear molds about a month ago and they made a world of difference in both the quality of sound and comfort. They produce a much more robust and full sound for me. I think you’ll like them. My first set of ear molds were small, about the size of an ear plug. They were discrete and comfortable but the power domes kept ooching out of the mold and wouldn’t stay installed. Now, I have something similar to a half-shell design. They are less discrete but the receivers stay put in them. I used to feel a little self-conscious about them too but don’t anymore. You will get over it too. At least being a woman, you can cover them with your hair if you want.
The custom moulds should fix up the feedback no worries, though watch that you don’t get any annoying occlusion (or echo/loudness of your own voice) which can be more of a risk the more you block the ear canal. As for comfort, the custom moulds, fitting correctly, should be a very comfortable option. Some of the very small “custom tip” style moulds can slip out of the ear as there is not as much material follow the outer ear contours and keep the mould in there, however as long as your canal isn’t too narrow and the specialist takes a good impression you should be right. If this does occur their are other variations in style. These custom tip moulds still use the same thin tubes that you had with your domes so they are still very discreet. If someone reacts to you wearing a hearing, it is 100% their issue not yours. Would love to know how you go!
Tim
www.hearingaidsuccess.com.au