Hearing Aid Domes vs Custom Earmolds | Which one is Best?

Thank you Dr. Cliff for an informative video. You answered my questions & concerns.

Great video Dr. Cliff. Thank you so much!

Great explanation, Dr. Cliff. Thanks!

You are an excellent communicator. Learned so much from your videos.

Thank you very much for your excellent explanations, not just with this video but on many of the others as well. As others have stated, this tremendously helps to have a much better and meaningful dialogue between audiologists and patients.

Thank you for this video, this is helping me communicate with my audiologist better. I have severely sloping HL, just bought Oticon More 1s. The audiologist insisted I try out closed domes first because they feel I’m missing out on some correction. I feel like it’s still not quite right and somewhat annoying, now I know what I’m trying to describe is insertion loss. Since I don’t care about streaming at all I think I’m going to push for vented custom molds now. Thank you for giving me words!!

My son and I both tried domes and couldn't stand them. The physical sensation of the amplification in the canal with RIC was just maddening anytime there was loud noise. I FAR prefer my custom moulds. But my brother, whose loss according to the audiograms you showed, would also better be suited to custom moulds but his aud gave him domes. I feel like some auds assume most folks would prefer less visible and domes seem to be preferred for that reason- even though you rightly showed there's not a huge difference- but also many of us DON'T care and would rather hear as well as we can regardless of looks. Thanks for breaking it down.

Fantastic information about silicone dome and custom dome. Mine is custom dome and not comfortable for me ,I barely understand when people are talking to me.

i really need to see you for my hearing aids. ive had nothing but issues for the last 5 years with my custom molded aids.

I’m just getting used to hearing aids I just got mines last week on Tuesday or Friday and it’s hard to wear them with their wiring so I’m watching this to see if I need a hearing aid done or a custom Ear dome I have been hearing my moms apple headphones aka apple earbuds for months I been looking for answers why my hearing aids hurt my ears they come with all sorts of different kinds of hear aids domes and custom earldoms I been sending this to my mom and grandmother to see what they thank I thank what I’m wearing in my hearing aids now is too big or too little for me that’s what my grandmother Thanks so thank you for making this for people like me new for hearing aids who don’t know what to wear with them

Thanks. Still to buy hearing aids but now understand why my Audiologist prescribing vented dome.

It is very interesting to get this information compared to the European market! 👍🏼 I do not see too many advantages on the dome side at all.

THANKS for another excellent topic! Can you advise more about power domes? It seems most of your comparisons were open domes vs earmolds. Maybe you are not a fan of power domes? I use and like them and think of them as an choice in between open and earmold, one that has better bass retention. I do listen to a LOT of audio streaming, audiobooks and some music and like having solid bass. Given that and an audiogram that is typical moderate/severe, normal slope, is my view of power domes accurate? THANKS again for all your advice, and be assured that one of your recommended "Best Practices" audiologists has done a superb job for me over the past couple of years.

That's good to know for my next hearing aid upgrade in July 2023. So when I go in July I know what to ask the audiologist about which one is best my hearing loss

I have moderate to severe hearing loss. I use Phonak P90's with custom silicone earmolds, and for me, it is no contest. I find the custom earmolds to be more comfortable, easier to insert and remove, and to give a more consistant hearing experience than domes. Also, I rarely need to change wax guards.

Additionally, I found that the microphone that the dome sits in put painful pressure on the inside of my ear canal. I went to hard fittings for comfort, to stop the feedback, and for better hearing. Did that on my left ear Resound and my right ear implant. BTW, you are so correct - the implant is a miracle. My discrimination went to over 90%!!

Ear molds were a game changer for me. A Mayo Clinic audiologist recommended them.

Great video Dr. Cliff. What would you recommend for someone with a notch type of hearing loss, with a steep high frequency drop in both ears. They both start at about 1k, but one recovers starting at 6 and goes to 8k, the other does not recover at 5-6 k, both notches at around -60dB.

Great video! I will now question my HA installer about custom ear molds since my domes are not comfortable & too much feedback!

I have both for profound ski slope loss. I find the domes much more comfortable and cosmetically pleasing. But for playing my guitar, can't beat the vented ear molds to allow natural frequencies in.