Why Real Ear Measurements Matter: Our Approach to Perfect Hearing Aid Fitting

Getting hearing aids is a big step, but it's the proper programming that makes them truly work for you. Many people don't know that most hearing aids come from manufacturers with "First-Fit" settings - basically a rough estimate based on your hearing test. We take a different approach, using Real Ear Measurement (REM) for every single hearing aid fitting in our practice.

With the rise of over-the-counter hearing aids and online retailers, you might wonder why working with an audiologist matters. The truth is, hearing aids are sophisticated medical devices that require precise programming to match your unique hearing needs. Even the most advanced hearing aid technology won't help much if it's not programmed correctly.

That's where Real Ear Measurement becomes crucial. Research shows that hearing aids fitted without REM often provide either too much or too little amplification in certain frequency ranges. This can lead to common complaints like "things sound too tinny" or "everything is too loud." Some people even give up on their hearing aids entirely, assuming they don't work well, when the real issue is improper programming.

A professional audiologist using Real Ear Measurement can identify these problems and make precise adjustments that match your prescription exactly. This scientific approach takes the guesswork out of hearing aid fitting and provides measurable, objective proof that your hearing aids are working as they should.

What Are Real Ear Measurements?

Real Ear Measurement is like having a tiny sound level meter in your ear canal. We place a small microphone next to your eardrum to measure exactly what your hearing aids are doing. This lets us adjust your hearing aids to match your unique prescription rather than relying on one-size-fits-all manufacturer settings.

When we perform these measurements, we're actually creating a detailed map of how sound travels through your ear canal. The microphone picks up the exact sound levels at different frequencies - from low bass tones to high-pitched sounds. It's similar to a sound engineer fine-tuning a speaker system, but on a much more personal scale. Your ear canal's unique shape, size, and even how your ear produces wax can change how sound is amplified or dampened before it reaches your eardrum. By measuring these individual characteristics, we can program your hearing aids to account for them, ensuring that the right amount of amplification reaches your eardrum at every frequency.

Our Real Ear Measurement Process

Understanding Real Ear Measurement requires recognizing that each person's hearing needs are unique, much like their fingerprint. Just as you would have a suit tailored to fit your exact measurements, hearing aids need precise adjustments to match not just your hearing loss, but also the physical characteristics of your ears. Even when two patients show identical hearing test results, their optimal hearing aid settings often differ significantly due to variations in ear canal shape, size, and acoustic properties.

Our Real Ear Measurement process follows a systematic approach based on scientific best practices. We begin by measuring the natural acoustics of your ear canal - this gives us a baseline understanding of how your ear naturally processes sound. Next, we carefully position both your hearing aid and a specialized probe microphone in your ear. Using advanced equipment, we play a variety of sounds that represent real-world listening situations, from soft speech to louder environments. The probe microphone captures the exact amount of amplification reaching your eardrum, allowing us to make precise, evidence-based adjustments to match your prescription targets.

This detailed verification process enables us to optimize your hearing aids for the full range of listening environments you encounter daily. Whether you're enjoying a quiet conversation at home, participating in a lively family gathering, dining at your favorite restaurant, or taking a phone call from a loved one, your hearing aids will be programmed to perform optimally. We pay special attention to challenging listening situations, like outdoor activities where wind noise can be an issue, or music appreciation where sound quality is paramount. By verifying performance across these different scenarios, we ensure your hearing aids work seamlessly throughout your day-to-day life.

The Impact on Your Daily Life

The numbers don't lie - people whose hearing aids are fitted using Real Ear Measurement consistently report:

• Better understanding of speech, especially in background noise
• More natural sound quality
• Greater confidence in social situations
• Less need to return for adjustments
• Higher satisfaction with their hearing aids

The Science Behind Your Success

You might be wondering what makes Real Ear Measurement so effective. Let's look at a common situation - trying to hear in a noisy restaurant. Without proper verification, hearing aids might amplify all sounds equally, making it harder to focus on conversations. Through Real Ear Measurement, we can see exactly how your hearing aids process different sound levels and make adjustments that help speech stand out from background noise.

Take one of our patients, who came to us frustrated with hearing aids she'd worn for two years. Her previous provider had skipped Real Ear Measurement, and when we tested her devices, we found they were providing only half the necessary amplification in the frequencies most important for understanding speech. After proper measurement and adjustment, she called us the next day amazed at how much clearer voices sounded.

The data backs up these experiences. Studies show that hearing aids verified with Real Ear Measurement provide up to 20-25% better speech understanding compared to devices fitted without verification. This improvement isn't just about hearing more - it's about your brain receiving the right signals to process speech effectively.

Real Ear Measurement also helps us catch potential problems early. Sometimes, what feels too loud or unclear initially is actually the correct prescription your brain needs to adapt to. By having objective measurements, we can show you exactly what's happening with your hearing aids and work together to find the perfect balance between comfort and performance. This evidence-based approach gives you confidence that your hearing aids are truly programmed for your success.

Setting Ourselves Apart

We often get asked why other practices don't use Real Ear Measurement. The truth is, it requires expensive equipment, extensive training, and more time with each patient. But we see these as investments in your success, not obstacles to avoid.

Think about it - would you trust a doctor who skipped important tests just because they take extra time? We apply the same principle to hearing care. Every hearing aid we fit is verified with Real Ear Measurement because we know it leads to better results.

Your Success is Our Priority

Our approach might take longer than just programming hearing aids and hoping for the best. But we've learned that investing this extra time and attention leads to something priceless - patients who can truly engage in all their important life moments without struggling to hear.

If you've been wearing hearing aids that weren't fitted using Real Ear Measurement, you might be surprised by how much better they could perform. Or if you're new to hearing aids, why not start with the most precise fitting possible?

Give us a call to schedule an appointment. We'll show you what a difference precise hearing aid fitting can make in your daily life. Let's work together to help you hear your absolute best.