I wear a power dome in my right ear but it keeps on slowly slipping out.
It is a medium size and going on the size of a large vented dome there’s no way that a large would fit.
I can jam it in so the wire sits flush with my ear but it just works its way out, eating and talking accelerate the process.
I’ve tried a retention whisker but it only stops the last bit of movement not the initial movement which unseats the receiver and breaks the seal.
It is getting quite annoying as I’ve had to reduce the power output of my right HA to avoid the feedback that can start if the HA isn’t properly seated.
The Phonak Target real ear feedback measurements almost match the predicted manufacturer levels when it is fully seated but show a lot of leakage (3-4kHz) if it has moved only a little so I’ve taken to performing the real ear feedback with it slightly loose. This is not ideal.
My right ear canal bends upwards slightly and I’m assuming that it is either gravity or the slightest of tensions acting on the receiver wire that is providing the force that is pulling the dome out.
I wear an open dome in my left ear and that behaves itself and doesn’t move at all.
Apart from the above I’m a big fan of the power dome sound quality and would like to find a solution, which is why I thought I’d post the question here.
Does anyone have any suggestions to help keep it place?
If I can’t find a fix are their any functional alternatives to power domes that are just as discrete or is a larger mold my only option?
Thanks Louie.
I am due to be fitted with the Lumity Lifes next week-ish which is why I’m asking now.
I’ve had a look at both c-shell and slimptip before but I can’t really work out the functional or aesthetic differences between them online.
If the Phonak power dome is not good, you might find a non-Phonak power dome good for you.
I had a chance to try one that was a harder silicone, I would say there was less feedback than the Phonak one. The downside I encountered was that it quickly turned yellow like all silicones that are transparent.
When the silicon dome comes in contact with ear wax or oily moisture in the ear canal, it will turn light yellow. Used an alcohol swap (available at the pharmacy or via online) to clean it inside and outside of the dome. Just rolled the domes in the alcohol swap, the alcohol will remove most of the ear wax and the silicon will become clear again. Clean the doom every 2 weeks. The alcohol will also disinfect the dome!
Slimtip is a hollow and transparent mould that clicks onto the end of your receiver in the same way a dome does. A cShell is a solid mould with the receiver embedded (looks like a custom in-the-canal hearing aid on the end of receiver wire). Slimtip is easier to manage because if the receiver wire malfunctions, you can just transfer it to another receiver - however a cshell needs to be sent away if there’s an issue
I think I will. I’d just prefer a fix for the easily available domes if possible but I think the issue is my ear canal so I’m leaning towards a mold.
I didn’t realise how small they are but just watched a Dr Cliff video on platinum c-shell.
I’ll ask my fitter to show me the platinum c-shell and slimtip when I’m fitted with the Lumity HAs next week.
I have tried cleaning the domes but it doesn’t make much difference. I know that it’s an open dome so quite different but my left ear receiver doesn’t move at all during the day.
I have custom Oticon hard silicone domes with a risk on the end to help keep it in the ear. These are significant improvement but stil slips out occasionally. I think it’s a problem that cannot be completely corrected.