Can I use a CROS hearing aid without a dome?

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13 replies1.1k viewsLast reply Jul 4, 2024

Jun 30, 2024Edited

I am totally deaf in left ear, some hearing loss in right. I have been using an Oticon Opn S 1 in my right ear since 2019, and last week decided to get a for the left side. The audiologist fitted it with a dome and retention lock (same as the right). However, my ear canals are narrow, the left more than the right, and the dome on the CROS is uncomfortable in my ear canal, despite having the smallest size (5).

Is it possible to not have a dome for the CROS at all, so nothing in my ear canal, and just use a retention lock? I also wear glasses, and the arm of the glasses does a good job of keep the in place.

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LRav

Jun 30, 2024Edited

@SnapFish I also have a Cros aid and as far as i know only the old fashioned cros aid which was wired didn’t have to have a dome that went in the ear as the cros was a mic that sat over the ear connected to an ordniary hearing aid via a wire. It looked like this

I don’t know if there is a way you can get the Wireless Cros model’s to work without a dome . I have a similar issue with small ear canals that the dome would irriatate when I first got my wireless Cros and had to move to moulds. Someone else may know more about if the Cros will work without a dome.

SnapFishAuthor

Jun 30, 2024

Many thanks for the reply. The instructions for my Oticon has a diagram with a dummy speaker in two sizes, 60 and 85, and suggested dome sizes, smallest being 5mm; I already have the smallest of both (size 60 dummy speaker and 5mm dome). It does seem from the instructions that the dummy speaker and dome are not optional.

I did try a Phonak CROS many, many years ago, and my recollection is that it did not have a speaker/dome, but I could be wrong, it was so long ago. I did not persevere with it then because it ate batteries - 3 times the rate of just one . My current Oticon and CROS of course have rechargeable batteries, which is much more convenient, so I want to continue with the CROS, but it is taking a lot of getting use to having the dome in my left ear.

MDB Central California

Jun 30, 2024

I have no practical experience with . My understanding is that the CROS aid’s purpose is just to relay sounds from it’s microphones to your other ear so what happens in the CROS ear seems irrelevant.
Why not just try it out and see what you think? As long as the aid will stay on it seems like it should work.

LRav

Jun 30, 2024Edited

In reply to @SnapFish

@snapfish from my understanding looking at the instructions for my new Oticon cros the dummy speaker is necessary and the dome for the conduction of sound. Maybe try continuing with the dome and if it is to uncomfortable maybe you could ask to try a custom mould for the cros side

MDB Central California

Jun 30, 2024

I think the sound is “conducted” wirelessly from the aid to the “good ear” hearing aid. I looked at Oticon instructions and it seemed like the whole purpose of the dummy speaker and dome was to hold the device in place, but again I have no experience. It seems like a quick experiment would settle the question.

SnapFishAuthor

Jun 30, 2024

Yes, the still works fine if I pull the dome out of my ear, it is just bit silly having the dome “dangling” outside of my ear canal. I will contact my audiologist tomorrow to see if he can offer a better solution, without the dummy speaker and dome, i.e., just an extra long retention lock/ear grip.

Don

Jun 30, 2024

I have no experience with any cros. It does sound reasonable that the dummy receiver and dome are just for retention. If there was no dummy speaker there would be nothing to hold the dome.

MDB Central California

Jun 30, 2024

In reply to @SnapFish

I think you’re going to need the dummy speaker to hold the retention lock. A dome might help keep the retention lock in place. Some manufacturers make a “cap” dome that might be smaller than a 5mm.

Neville

Jul 1, 2024

Yes, you can remove the dome. You may not even need the wire–you could just paste the device to your scalp with wig tape.

pete1

Jul 4, 2024

Get an open dome, small size. It isn’t very big at all. That’s what I use. It’s a minimal intrusion in your ear.

SnapFishAuthor

Jul 4, 2024Edited

Thanks; the dome I have already is the smallest size they do - 5mm, and I think it is an open dome, as it has small holes in it.

I have removed the dome and am just trying it with the dummy speaker in my ear canal. Without the dome though, the retention lock/clip may slip off in wear - it is the dome that normally keeps it on the dummy speaker. Edit: that did not work - the retention lock came off in use, it definitely needs the dome to keep it in place.