Personalized Hearing Aid Verification for Better Hearing
At Earfit Speech and Hearing Clinic, we understand that selecting the right hearing aid is only the first step toward better hearing. Even the most advanced hearing aid needs to be properly programmed and verified according to your individual hearing requirements. Real Ear Measurement (REM) is an advanced hearing aid verification procedure that helps our audiologists ensure your hearing aids are delivering the appropriate amount of amplification for your ears.
What Is Real Ear Measurement?
Real Ear Measurement is a clinical procedure used to evaluate and verify the acoustic output of a hearing aid inside the ear canal. During the procedure, a very thin measurement tube is carefully positioned close to the eardrum while you wear your hearing aid.
The audiologist then presents different sounds and speech signals through a loudspeaker. A specialized REM system measures the sound level inside your ear and compares it with your prescribed hearing targets.
Based on these measurements, the hearing aid can be adjusted to provide amplification that more closely matches your individual hearing needs.
Every ear is different
Ear canal size, shape, hearing loss, hearing aid fitting, and the way the device sits on the ear can all influence the sound reaching the eardrum. REM helps account for these individual differences.
Objective, not estimated
Instead of relying only on the hearing aid manufacturer's recommended settings or software estimates, REM provides objective information about the sound actually reaching your ear.
Why Is REM Important for Hearing Aid Fitting?
A hearing aid may appear to be working correctly but still not provide the ideal amount of amplification. If the amplification is too low, speech may remain difficult to understand. If it is too high, sounds may become uncomfortable or overly loud. Real Ear Measurement provides our audiologists with objective measurements that help reduce guesswork during hearing aid programming.
Verify appropriate amplification
Confirm whether your hearing aids are providing appropriate amplification.
Match prescribed targets
Match the hearing aid output more closely to your prescribed hearing targets.
Improve speech access
Improve access to speech sounds across different frequencies.
Identify adjustment areas
Identify areas where the hearing aid may need further adjustment.
Balance comfort
Balance amplification with listening comfort.
Confirm real-world performance
Confirm that the hearing aid is performing appropriately in different listening situations.
How Is Real Ear Measurement Performed?
The REM procedure is straightforward and generally comfortable.
Hearing Assessment and Hearing Aid Review
Our audiologist first reviews your hearing test results, hearing history, hearing aid model, current settings, and listening concerns. Your prescription targets are then determined based on your hearing requirements and fitting needs.
Placement of the Measurement Tube
A very thin, soft probe tube is gently positioned inside the ear canal. The tube sits close to the eardrum and allows the REM equipment to measure the sound level inside your ear. The hearing aid is then positioned normally on or in the ear.
Sound Presentation
The REM system presents calibrated sounds, including speech-like signals, through a loudspeaker positioned in front of you. The system measures the sound reaching your ear with the hearing aid operating.
Comparison With Prescribed Targets
The measured response is compared with the amplification targets prescribed for your hearing loss. Our audiologist can see whether the hearing aid is providing too little, too much, or appropriate amplification at different frequencies and input levels.
Fine-Tuning the Hearing Aid
If adjustments are required, the hearing aid is reprogrammed and the measurement is repeated. This process helps us move toward a more accurate fitting while considering your comfort and listening preferences.
Benefits of REM-Based Hearing Aid Fitting
One of the biggest advantages of Real Ear Measurement is that it allows hearing aid programming to be based on your ears and your hearing needs, rather than relying entirely on generic fitting assumptions.
More Accurate Amplification
REM helps verify that amplification is appropriate across different frequencies, which can be important for understanding speech clearly.
Better Speech Access
A properly verified fitting can help ensure that important speech information is appropriately amplified, particularly for sounds that may be difficult to hear because of your hearing loss.
Improved Listening Comfort
The goal is not simply to make sounds louder. Our audiologists can use REM measurements to balance audibility with comfort, helping avoid unnecessary over-amplification.
Personalized Programming
No two ears are exactly alike. REM allows hearing aid settings to be adjusted according to the individual's measured response, hearing loss, and fitting requirements.
Objective Verification
REM provides measurable information about hearing aid performance in the ear, giving both the audiologist and the wearer greater confidence in the fitting.
Who Can Benefit From Real Ear Measurement?
REM can be useful for many hearing aid users, including people who are being fitted with hearing aids for the first time as well as existing users who feel their current settings are not working well. We may recommend REM when:
- You are receiving a new hearing aid.
- Your hearing has changed.
- Your hearing aid has been reprogrammed.
- You are experiencing difficulty understanding speech.
- Sounds feel too loud or uncomfortable.
- You feel that your hearing aid is not providing enough amplification.
- You have changed your hearing aid or fitting style.
- You want your existing hearing aid fitting professionally verified.
REM can also be useful when a hearing aid user has been wearing their devices for some time but continues to experience difficulties in particular listening environments.
Our audiologists consider the individual's hearing profile, age, communication needs, hearing aid technology, and comfort when carrying out the verification process.
REM for Children and Adults
Real Ear Measurement can be valuable for both children and adults.
Children
For children, accurate hearing aid verification is especially important because appropriate access to speech sounds can support communication and learning.
Adults
For adults, REM can help optimize hearing aid performance according to everyday communication needs, whether those involve conversations at home, work, social environments, or other challenging listening situations.
Why Choose Earfit for REM?
At Earfit Speech and Hearing Clinic, we focus on more than simply providing a hearing aid. Our goal is to provide a complete hearing care experience that includes assessment, fitting, verification, fine-tuning, and ongoing support.
Our audiology team takes the time to understand how you hear in your everyday life and the situations where you experience the greatest difficulty. Real Ear Measurement allows us to add objective verification to this clinical process, helping us make more informed adjustments to your hearing aids.
Whether you are considering hearing aids for the first time or already use hearing devices and want your fitting checked, our team can assess your needs and determine whether REM is appropriate for you.
Book Your REM Appointment at Earfit
If your hearing aids do not feel comfortable, speech still sounds unclear, or you simply want to ensure that your devices are programmed appropriately, Real Ear Measurement can provide valuable insight into your hearing aid fitting. Visit Earfit Speech and Hearing Clinic for a professional hearing evaluation, hearing aid verification, and personalized audiological care.
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