An audiometric method called real ear measurement (REM) is used to evaluate how well hearing aids work. REM’s objective is to guarantee that the hearing aid is giving its user the best possible sound clarity and speech comprehension.
These measurements are then matched with the person’s known hearing threshold ranges. The hearing aid can be adjusted to deliver the highest achievable sound quality based on the said data.
A real ear measurement is a crucial tool for making sure hearing aids are fitted correctly. Although real ear measurement (REM) is not required in the profession of audiology, audiologists who use this procedure are aware of and appreciate the influence that it has.
Real Ear Measurements to Match Hearing Aid Prescriptions
Real ear measurement for hearing aid verification is crucial since it guarantees that sounds are at a comfortable level. The level of amplification required for each specific frequency is specified in a hearing aid prescription. This considers several aspects such as a person’s age, medical history, gender, and hearing aid experience.
According to numerous studies on hearing aids, people have better listening experiences when using hearing aids that have been matched and programmed using real ear verification.
If your hearing loss prescription isn’t validated by Real Ear Measurement, you won’t know if the requirements are met. It can be challenging to achieve a First Fit estimate to match a prescriptive objective, even with the most technologically advanced hearing aids now available.
Why perform Real Ear Measures?
The success of a hearing aid is greatly influenced by real ear measurements. An audiologist can assure the most accurate measurement that meets a patient’s hearing requirements by taking into account the patient’s distinct ear shape during real-ear measurement. Hearing loss patients can take advantage of a device’s full potential thanks to this verification procedure.
Hearing aid performance can also be evaluated using REM. It is possible to assess the hearing aid’s sound quality, speech intelligibility, and amplification across all frequencies using the measurements made during real-ear assessment.
What is the basic process of Real Ear Measurement?
The real ear measurement procedure includes the following steps:
1) The subject of the test has the hearing aid in his or her ear.
2) Next to the hearing aid, a probe tube or microphone is put into the ear canal.
3) Tones and sounds will be generated across different frequencies.
4) The probe tube is used to measure the levels of sound pressure at the ear canal.
To ensure that the hearing aid is supplying the highest possible audio quality and speech understanding, the measurements taken during the real ear measurement can be utilized to confirm the hearing aid fit.
What is the difference between real ear measurement and auto hearing aid programming?
An audiometric method called real ear measurement is used to evaluate how well hearing aids work. The purpose of REM is to be certain that the hearing aid is calibrated and configured to fit the wearer’s unique hearing needs.
Some hearing aids provide an option called auto hearing aid programming that enables it to automatically adjust according to the specific hearing requirements of the user. The majority of hearing aids on the market now have a function that automatically adjusts the amplification level. This function is referred to as First Fit.
First Fit occurs when the hearing loss of a person is entered into software created by the hearing aid manufacturer. The amount of amplification the person will need is then estimated by this software.
Each maker of hearing aids uses a unique assortment of algorithms to enhance sound. Because you can’t always confirm a prescription from these manufacturers, this can be a concern. Only validated prescriptions can be checked by third-party verification equipment.
Even those with the same type of hearing loss will require varying levels of amplification at various frequency ranges. This is due to the uniqueness of each ear. Real ear measurement is crucial because of this. Real ear measurement makes it possible to fine-tune hearing aids according to a user’s unique ear shape and size.
Simply depending on first-fit algorithms can result in less-than-ideal outcomes.
Real Ear Measurement and Hearing Aid Success
We hope that this article has enlightened you on the value of real ear measurement. We’re not saying that audiologists and hearing aid practitioners who do not practice REM are not doing it right, however, we want to emphasize that if you really want to get the most out of your hearing aids, we encourage you to see an audiologist who practices REM.
As part of our effort to give residents of Norfolk, NE the best hearing care possible, Norfolk Audiology integrates real ear measurement into hearing aid fittings.
Call us today to make an appointment!