I have NHS Oticon hearing aids and I have only had them since May 2024 after being diagnosed early 2024. Previously I had vented domes but I had problems with them repeatedly falling out this year. Turns out losing 20lbs this year has changed my ear shape. I had longer tubes and new domes fitted today but didn’t clock they had given me . The fit is great and the sound with streaming phone calls/music is so much better. However, I think occlusion is an issue I may need to get used to or just ask for some open domes in the correct size.
As you can see my frequency loss is worse at higher frequencies. Is it worth persevering and getting used to it as my ’s were originally configured with open domes? Or am I best to get them to send some replacements domes in the post.
Open domes are “supposed to be” good for up to 70 high frequency loss. I think most audiologists would put OP in open domes although it’s certainly possible he might end up preferring a more closed fit.
Yeah you’re right, but I’d go custom molds with a vent, pushing the max limits could feedback with open or limit the available gain, I sometimes think there should be something inbetween open and closed, molds with the right venting could be it instead of those tulip type domes they offer.
Personally, I’d use (2 little holes) as a minimum with your high frequency loss. With open domes, the Feedback Management may strip away some of the high frequency gain you need for clarity.
Oticon defines their domes as open, closed and power. Other manufactures like Signia, use the term vented. It is confusing. If they switched you from a vented oticon to a closed oticon, in reality, they are the same domes. So, I am going to assume that your vented domes were actually open domes.
are needed when you need amplification at low frequencies, which you don’t (or need very high amplification at high frequencies). This is not my opinion, it’s Oticon’s definition:
The disadvantages of open domes are that you lose the premium benefits of the hearing aid (noise reduction, better streaming, etc) but your will preserve your good natural hearing <3 Khz. With closed domes, you’ll get occlussion.
I say all this because I went through exactly the same experience. I always used open, then I got new and my audiologist gave me closed domes and I hated them. When I asked why: She said "I don’t fit people with open domes anymore, the streaming is better with closed domes and you won’t get the benefits of noise management). I replied : I can use my airpods and the HAs that I got are the lowest technology possible (Phonaks I30) that have almost no features for loud environments (I don;'t need them). In the end, with the help of awesome folks here, I downloaded the fitting software and I did the changes needed myself. [Thanks all , I’ve learned a lot from you guys].
If you were happy with open domes and they worked for you, why change? You are lucky that your hearing is good enough that you can choose the one you prefer, not the one you need. Or have them fitted for open domes and, whenever you please, change to closed domes “on demand”
UK
North West UK
San Francisco