How to Measure Hearing Aid Domes
Date Updated: July 28, 2025
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Hearing aid domes are used with receiver-in-ear (RIC) hearing aids, and they fit inside the ear to protect the amplifier, hold the tube in place and create a seal. They come in a huge range of sizes and types, and it’s essential that they fit correctly for maximum comfort. This also helps with hearing aid effectiveness, as poorly fitting domes can leak sound and end up underperforming. Choosing the right shape and size of hearing aid dome ensures your hearing aids work as intended and that you can stay comfortable all day long.
Overview of the Top Recommended Hearing Aids
Overview of the Top Recommended Hearing Aids

Hear.com
- Starting Price: $3,200 or $139 a month for one pair
- Battery Type: Wireless Rechargeable
- Standout Feature: Bluetooth-Enabled for All Smartphones

Eargo
- Starting Price: $1,650 for one pair
- Battery Type: Rechargeable Batteries for all Models
- Standout Feature: Small, Discrete, and Appealing Designs

Jabra Enhance (formerly Lively)
- Starting Price: $1,195 for one pair
- Battery Type: Rechargeable and Standard Batteries (Depends on Model)
- Standout Feature: Custom-Programmed by Expert Audiologists

Audicus
- Starting Price: $1,398 for one pair
- Battery Type: Standard Batteries and Rechargeable Upgrade Available for Some Models
- Standout Feature: Low Monthly Payment Options

Lexie
- Starting Price: $649 for one pair
- Battery Type: Standard Disposable Batteries Only
- Standout Feature: Unique Rewards Program

ReSound
- Starting Price: $3,000 - $6,500 average for one pair
- Battery Type: Rechargeable and Standard Batteries (Depends on Model)
- Standout Feature: All Current Models are Bluetooth-Enabled for Direct Streaming

Phonak
- Starting Price: $1,995 - $3,900 average for one ear
- Battery Type: Rechargeable and Standard Batteries (Depends on Model)
- Standout Feature: Provides a 100% Invisible Device (Lyric Model)

Signia
- Starting Price: $1,540 - $5,945 average per pair
- Battery Type: Rechargeable and Standard Batteries (Depends on Model)
- Standout Feature: High-End Features Like Dolby-Digital Sound Streaming and Tinnitus Relief

Widex
- Starting Price: $900 - $6,500 average per pair
- Battery Type: Rechargeable and Standard Batteries (Depends on Model)
- Standout Feature: Specializes in Hearing Aids with Artificial Intelligence Technology

Starkey
- Starting Price: $1,600 - $4,798 average per pair
- Battery Type: Rechargeable and Standard Batteries (Depends on Model)
- Standout Feature: Provides Assistive Features for Seniors such as Fall Detection and Amazon Alexa Support
DifferentHearing Aid Dome Options
There are three main shapes of dome:
- Open dome: This type of dome lets in some natural sound, resulting in better sound quality with increases in sharpness. However, it also reduces bass amplification, and hearing aids with open domes generally require a little more power, as some sound leaks out through the vents. This type of dome also prevents the occlusion effect, where the user’s voice sounds boomier, and is ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss. Feedback can be an issue for those with more moderate hearing loss.
- Closed dome: Also called a vented or tulip dome, a closed dome has less venting than an open dome, resulting in better amplification of lower frequency sounds. This reduces the sharpness in higher frequencies, however, but typically produces better results in those with moderate hearing loss.
- Power dome: For those with severe hearing loss, power domes are often the answer. These domes block up the hearing canal completely, allowing maximum amplification with minimal sound leakage. However, these increase bass and decrease sharpness significantly. Power domes also eliminate feedback.
Choosing the right shape of dome is vital for comfort and sound quality.
HearingAid Dome Sizes
Typically, the audiologist fitting the hearing aids will select the correct size of dome to ensure it fits properly. The dome should be fractionally larger than the ear canal so that it forms a reasonably secure seal, but it shouldn’t exert additional pressure on the skin of the ear canal itself. A perfectly fitting dome makes a light rustling noise when being inserted or taken out, and there should be a little bit of resistance.
For open domes, there should be no additional pressure inside the ear. With closed domes or power domes, there may be some additional light pressure that can easily be resolved by swallowing.
Too Small
Hearing aid domes that are too small do not exert resistance when taken in or out, and extremely small domes may not even make a sound. Domes that are too small are generally ineffective, and they do not secure the hearing aid inside the ear.
Too Large
Hearing aid domes that are too large start to feel uncomfortable very quickly. Open domes may exert additional pressure inside the ear as the vents deform, and voices may sound deeper and less clear. Power domes, in particular, may get extremely uncomfortable, and the pressure exerted on the ear canal walls results in soreness or swelling.
In extreme size mismatches, the dome may come off in the ear, which can necessitate a trip to urgent care. Do not try to take detached domes out of the ear canal yourself, as this can push the dome further down the ear canal and risks damaging the eardrum.
Ultimately, the best-fitting hearing aid domes feel comfortable, feel secure and get the best out of your hearing aid. Different brands and dome types have slightly different sizing, so those who change brands or dome types may need to change their size.
Hearing Aid Brand Reviews
- Audicus Hearing Aid Review
- Eargo Hearing Aid Review
- Embrace Hearing’s Hearing Aid Review
- LifeEar’s Hearing Aid Review
- MDHearingAid’s Hearing Aid Review
- Phonak Hearing Aid Review
- ReSound GN Hearing Aid Review
- Signia Hearing Aid Review
- Starkey Hearing Technologies Review
- Widex Hearing Aid Review
- Jabra Hearing Aid Review
- Lexie Hearing Aid Review
- Hear.com Hearing Aid Review