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Sizing for domes and tubes?
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 14:28
I just bought a pair of Resound Plus 5 mini BTE aids. They came with 2b tubes and I'm not sure of the size of the domes. Would someone expain the tubes sizing 0A/0B thru 3A/3B? Is their a good way for me to be able to tell what size dome I need? If the tube doesn't fit correctly is there a way for it to be shaped to fit my ear better?
After having them in for about 4-5 hours I find the left ear to be pretty painful though the right ear is not so bad. They are programmed for my audiogram and so the sound is fine and I find it really helps my hearing problem,.
Resound thin tubes come in varying lengths; 0,1,2, and 3 being the longest. The numbers refer to the length of the tube from where it connects to the aid to where it makes the bend going into the ear canal.
Also, each of these numbers is followed by an "A" or a "B". The letters refer to the length of the tube from where the tube bends going into the ear canal to the tip. "A" tubes go into the ear canal deeper than "B" tubes.
Domes are measured across the widest part in millimeters. A 7 mm dome is the most common size and is about 1/4 inch in diameter.
Pain deep in the ear canal that starts showing up after a couple hours of wearing the aids is usually due to a dome that is too big or a tube that goes into the ear canal too far. Pain at the entrance of the ear canal or on any exterior part of the ear usually comes from a tubethat is too short. (This is assuming your ear canals are wax free).
To reshape the tube first remove it from the aid. Then dip it in hot water, as hot as you can, without burning yourself. Hold the new bend in while it cools. It may take a couple of repetitions.