Real Ear Measurement vs Manufacturer Settings Explained

When getting new hearing aids, many people assume the factory settings will work just fine. However, at Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix, we know these manufacturer presets are merely starting points that rarely match your unique hearing needs.

Think of hearing aids like prescription glasses - they need precise adjustments to work properly. Using default settings without proper verification is like wearing off-the-rack clothes without tailoring - they might work, but they won't fit perfectly.

Understanding Manufacturer Presets

Manufacturer presets in hearing aids are pre-programmed settings designed to match typical hearing loss patterns. These settings serve as a starting point but often lack the personalization needed for optimal results.

How Presets Work

When we fit hearing aids at Applied Hearing Solutions, manufacturer presets offer a baseline configuration. These default settings are developed using averaged data collected from thousands of users.

Modern digital hearing aids like the Oticon Intent, ReSound Vivia, Starkey Edge AI, Widex Allure, Phonak Infinio, and Signia IX use these presets to control:

• Gain levels across frequencies
• Compression ratios
• Noise reduction settings
• Directional microphone behavior

Limitations of Presets

Preset configurations can be quite different from ideal settings for your specific hearing loss. These differences often occur in critical speech frequencies, affecting your ability to understand conversations.

Despite offering multiple program options for different environments, manufacturer presets remain generic by nature. They cannot account for your individual ear canal acoustics, which significantly impact how sound reaches your eardrum.

Research shows that nationwide, only about 30% of hearing aid fittings use verification methods beyond these presets. This means many people receive devices with settings that don't address their unique hearing needs.

The Power of Real Ear Measurement

Real Ear Measurement (REM) provides crucial data about how hearing aids actually perform in your individual ear. This verification method ensures devices meet specific targets based on your unique hearing loss and ear canal properties.

How Real Ear Measurement Works

At Applied Hearing Solutions, our REM process utilizes specialized equipment with a thin probe microphone placed in your ear canal alongside the hearing aid. This measures the actual sound levels reaching your eardrum.

Our process includes:

1. Unaided measurement - Recording how sound naturally enters your ear
2. Aided measurement - Measuring sound with the hearing aid in place
3. Target matching - Adjusting the hearing aid to match prescribed targets for your specific hearing loss

Benefits of Verified Fittings

Real Ear Measurements enable our audiologists to achieve more precise and comfortable fittings based on your individual ear canal's acoustic properties. This personalization helps prevent:

• Uncomfortable loudness in certain frequency ranges
• Feedback or whistling due to improper amplification
• Inadequate amplification of important speech sounds

Our patients with properly verified devices report:

• Improved speech understanding, especially in noisy environments
• Greater listening comfort throughout the day
• Better overall satisfaction with their hearing aids

Studies consistently show that REM-based fittings provide superior results compared to auto-programming alone. We've observed improved word recognition scores of 15-30% when comparing individualized fittings to manufacturer presets.

Verifying Advanced Technology

Today's sophisticated hearing aids benefit significantly from proper verification. Features like Starkey Edge AI's Neuro Processor, Oticon Intent's 4D User-Intent Sensors, and ReSound Vivia's AI-driven sound processing are impressive innovations, but they still need proper verification to ensure they're providing the right amount of amplification for your specific hearing loss.

By verifying these advanced features with Real Ear Measurement, we ensure they're optimized for your specific needs rather than a generic profile.

Our Commitment to Proper Verification

At Applied Hearing Solutions, Real Ear Measurement is a non-negotiable part of our hearing aid fitting process. Our 45-day Best Practice Fitting approach includes multiple appointments to ensure your hearing aids are properly programmed and verified.

This process requires more time than simply accepting manufacturer presets, but the results speak for themselves. Our patients consistently report higher satisfaction and better outcomes compared to what they've experienced elsewhere.

Experience the Difference of Properly Verified Hearing Aids

Don't settle for hearing aids programmed with generic manufacturer presets. At Applied Hearing Solutions, we use Real Ear Measurement to ensure your devices are programmed specifically for your unique hearing needs and ear canal acoustics.

If you're considering new hearing aids or aren't satisfied with your current devices, contact Applied Hearing Solutions at (602) 877-0000 to schedule a consultation. Our audiologists will take the time to properly assess your hearing needs and demonstrate how our Best Practice approach, including Real Ear Measurement, can help you hear your absolute best.