Bass Domes

Um_bongo,

Thanks! Do you know whether Resound makes Single Bass domes for the Linx 3D HAs? If not, would another manufacturer’s Single Bass dome fit my Linx 3D 961 HAs?

My Oticon OPN1s were fitted with open domes a year ago. My new audi, after performing my first real ear measurements said I’d get better results with bass domes, and she installed them. She said they were double bass domes, but I can see only one tiny vent.

I gave them an honest trial for 4 days and could never adjust to them. They totally stopped up my canal. All sound had to come through the microphone. So, using a handset telephone does not work—it blocks the sound!. I had to remove my aids every time the phone rang.

They felt terrible. Not just itchy, but sweaty and itchy. I could hear my head turn. I could hear my jaw open. I had to be still, just to hear the wanted sounds. I was constantly pulling on my wire to get them to sound and feel better. I think that was just making them crooked enough to break the air seal.

I believe they’re for people with low frequency loss, which I don’t have. So I put my open domes back on and ran another feedback analysis with my mini-pro for them.

If you don’t have to have them, don’t get them, I say.

We use the Sonova ones on almost everything, because they’re cheaper, especially in long term running costs for the client and the design is about the best from all the manufacturers.

Interesting. So @Um_bongo are you saying the Sonova domes will fit other manufacturers and not slip off in the ear like had been mentioned in a thread of a while ago?

@z10user2 said:

I’ve yet to get around to poking a small hole (or more) in a single closed dome to see if that allows the pressure to release.

z10 a single very tiny hole worked for me.

I am still working on a best method. The toughest part is that the dome is fearful of the procedure, and will not hold still for impalement.

Most recently I used a fine nail punch- it worked but it was pretty awkward.

I think I will next experiment with a large safety pin. I realize such a pin hole will largely close when the pin is removed, so it may take more than one such hole.

@AdamsHouseCat said:

The toughest part is that the dome is fearful of the procedure, and will not hold still for impalement.

Try just cutting a slit with scissors.

If you’re adamant you need the hole and not the cut in the domes. Get yourself a suitable guage paper clip and un-bend one arm. Put the rest of the loop in a vice -heat the protruding arm and prod it through the dome. Then you can use two hands to hold the dome apart.

Hmmm, the vise would serve as a big time heat sink for the paper clip! I would have to work very quick!!

Um-bongo- Thank you for this hot tip.

I had been slitting the domes as you mention- but in my particular case I have moved on to the to the hole punch method. The physical integrity of the dome is maintained better - and the dome stays inserted more securely (and I get less feedback) than with the slit.

@wlamb1647 said:

Hmmm, the vise would serve as a big time heat sink for the paper clip! I would have to work very quick!!

Then buy a pin vice and use it.
https://smile.amazon.com/SE-840SH-Professional-Quality-Swivel/dp/B005FMZDJQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525452741&sr=8-3&keywords=pin+vise1

Starkey makes Comfort Buds occlude. These domes have 2 tiny holes, and come in a variety of sizes. I wear them on OPN1 P100 receivers. After years of trial & error - slitting, cutting, hole punching, and trying every dome available, my Audi gave me these to try. The absolute best, most physically comfortable solution to date. If the teeny holes get plugged or turn and hit my canal, I get that stopped up feeling. The small amount of venting is perfect for me and consistent from dome to dome. I also wash them daily, unplug the holes with the black plastic wire tool to keep the vents open.