Please explain tube and dome sizing

va3mrj · December 14, 2009, 9:39pm

I have just purchased a set of Resound Plus 5 mini BTE aids. They came with a 2b tube and domes that I am not sure of the size. Can someone expain the sizing shown for the tubes 0A and 0B thru 3A and 3B and is their a way to know what size dome you need. Can the tube be shaped to fit my ear profile better?

I have had them in for four or five hours and are finding the left ear painful, the right ear not so bad. The sound is fine, it really helps my hearing problem, I had them programmed for my audiogram.

jmallon · December 14, 2009, 11:49pm

Resound thin tubes come in varying lengths; 0,1,2, and 3 being the longest. The numbers refer to the length of the tube from where it connects to the aid to where it makes the bend going into the ear canal.

Also, each of these numbers is followed by an “A” or a “B”. The letters refer to the length of the tube from where the tube bends going into the ear canal to the tip. “A” tubes go into the ear canal deeper than “B” tubes.

Domes are measured across the widest part in millimeters. A 7 mm dome is the most common size and is about 1/4 inch in diameter.

Pain deep in the ear canal that starts showing up after a couple hours of wearing the aids is usually due to a dome that is too big or a tube that goes into the ear canal too far. Pain at the entrance of the ear canal or on any exterior part of the ear usually comes from a tube too short.

This is assuming your ear canals are wax free.

To reshape the tube first remove it from the aid. Then dip it in hot water, as hot as you can, without burning yourself. Hold the new bend in while it cools. It may take a couple of repetitions.

This page has some good pictures of the tube ends and the available domes that will fit them.

va3mrj · December 15, 2009, 6:49am

Thanks for the very complete answer.

Raudrive · December 17, 2009, 8:59am

jmallon:

Resound thin tubes come in varying lengths; 0,1,2, and 3 being the longest. The numbers refer to the length of the tube from where it connects to the aid to where it makes the bend going into the ear canal.

Also, each of these numbers is followed by an “A” or a “B”. The letters refer to the length of the tube from where the tube bends going into the ear canal to the tip. “A” tubes go into the ear canal deeper than “B” tubes.

Domes are measured across the widest part in millimeters. A 7 mm dome is the most common size and is about 1/4 inch in diameter.

Pain deep in the ear canal that starts showing up after a couple hours of wearing the aids is usually due to a dome that is too big or a tube that goes into the ear canal too far. Pain at the entrance of the ear canal or on any exterior part of the ear usually comes from a tube too short.

This is assuming your ear canals are wax free.

To reshape the tube first remove it from the aid. Then dip it in hot water, as hot as you can, without burning yourself. Hold the new bend in while it cools. It may take a couple of repetitions.

This page has some good pictures of the tube ends and the available domes that will fit them.

John, thanks for this excellent post.

As far as slim tube and dome sizing, what is the average size most people will use?

Thanks

jmallon · December 17, 2009, 11:41am

Rick,

The average size slim tube varies a little from one brand to another but as a general rule of thumb a size 1 in Resound type tubes and a size 2 in Siemens tubes.

Resound, Phonak, and Unitron all use Resound type tubes

You can look at our cross reference chart to see which type tubes your aids use.

Cross Reference Sheet

Please keep in mind that this is a work in progress and we are adding more data as we get it. If your aids are not listed please let us know and we will get them on there.