What Makes Real Ear Measurements Essential for Proper Hearing Aid Fitting
Getting hearing aids isn't just about picking a device - it's about making sure they're set up correctly for your unique ears. At Hearing Consultants, we use Real Ear Measurement (REM) to verify your hearing aids are programmed specifically for you, not based on averages.
What is Real Ear Measurement?
Think of Real Ear Measurement as a GPS for hearing aid programming. It shows us exactly what's happening with sound inside your ear canal when you're wearing hearing aids.
Everyone's ear canals are different shapes and sizes - like fingerprints. These differences affect how sound travels to your eardrum and how your hearing aids perform. Without checking what's actually happening in your ear, we're just making educated guesses.
During the test, we place a tiny microphone in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid. We play various sounds and measure exactly what reaches your eardrum. This lets us adjust your device until it delivers the right amplification at all frequencies for your specific hearing loss.
Why Your Ear Shape Matters
When manufacturers program hearing aids, they use settings based on average ear canals. But research consistently shows these "first fit" settings often miss the mark for individual users.
Your ear canal might be narrower, wider, longer, or shorter than average. These differences can dramatically change how sound behaves. Without REM, many hearing aid users simply aren't getting the right sound levels for their specific needs.
Five Ways REM Improves Your Hearing Experience
1. Custom-Fitted Programming
Rather than using the same settings for everyone with similar hearing tests, REM lets us fine-tune your hearing aids to match your exact ear canal characteristics. This customization makes a noticeable difference in everyday listening.
2. Better Speech Understanding
Users fitted with REM typically understand speech better, especially in challenging environments like restaurants. The precise adjustments ensure you're getting the right amplification in frequency ranges critical for understanding conversations.
3. Fewer Adjustment Appointments
When we verify settings during your initial fitting, there's less guesswork involved. Most of our patients fitted with REM need fewer follow-up adjustments, saving them time and hassle.
4. More Confidence in Your Investment
Hearing aids are a significant investment. REM gives you confidence that your devices are working as effectively as possible for your specific hearing needs from day one.
5. Better Long-Term Outcomes
Properly fitted hearing aids lead to better adaptation, more consistent use, and greater satisfaction. When your brain receives the right sounds, it adapts more easily to hearing aid use.
What to Expect During Your REM Appointment
When you visit us for a hearing aid fitting, the REM process is straightforward:
- We measure your ear canal's natural acoustics without any hearing aids
- Based on your hearing test, we set amplification targets
- With your hearing aid in place, we measure the actual sound reaching your eardrum
- We adjust programming until the measured response matches the targets
- We verify with different sounds, including speech samples
The process adds about 15-20 minutes to your appointment but makes a world of difference in your results.
Today's Hearing Technology Needs Proper Setup
Modern hearing aids like Widex Allure, ReSound Vivia, Oticon Intent, Starkey Edge AI, and Signia IX offer advanced features. But these sophisticated technologies need proper calibration to work their best for you.
Take the Widex Allure with its W1 chip and Speech Enhancer Pro - it provides natural sound quality, but works best when properly fitted. The ReSound Vivia with its AI-driven noise reduction needs verification to perform optimally in different environments.
The Starkey Edge AI uses a G2 Neuro Processor and Neuro Sound Technology 2.0 that requires precise setup. Similar principles apply to the Oticon Intent with 4D Sensor technology and Signia IX with RealTime Conversation Enhancement.
Even the best technology needs proper setup to deliver its benefits for your specific hearing needs.
A Real Patient Story
Recently, a patient came to us after being fitted with premium hearing aids elsewhere. Despite spending thousands of dollars, she still struggled to understand conversations in noisy places. When we performed REM, we found her hearing aids weren't providing nearly enough amplification in high frequencies - the ones most important for speech clarity.
After adjusting her hearing aids based on the REM results, she called us the next day, almost in tears. For the first time since getting hearing aids, she could follow a conversation at a noisy family dinner. Her hearing aids weren't the problem - they just needed proper verification and adjustment.
REM Works for All Hearing Aid Types
Real Ear Measurement benefits every style of hearing aid:
- Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) devices like ReSound Vivia or Widex Allure
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE) models with custom earmolds
- In-the-Ear (ITE) and Completely-in-Canal (CIC) custom devices
The need for proper verification doesn't change with hearing aid style or technology level.
Supporting Brain Health Through Better Hearing
Research increasingly shows connections between hearing loss and cognitive health. Proper hearing aid fitting helps ensure your brain receives optimal sound information, which supports better cognitive function.
At Hearing Consultants, we understand this connection well. We use cognitive screening tools to help assess patients and understand the full impact of their hearing loss. When combined with properly fitted hearing aids verified through REM, we support both your hearing and brain health.
Common Questions About REM
"Isn't this just an extra step that isn't really necessary?"
While it does add time to your fitting, it eliminates guesswork and typically results in fewer adjustment appointments later.
"My hearing aids are high-tech and can self-adjust, right?"
Modern hearing aids have impressive adaptive features, but they can't measure their own output at your eardrum or adjust to your specific ear acoustics without verification.
"Can't I just tell you if they sound right?"
Your feedback is crucial, but many people don't realize how much better their hearing aids could perform until after proper verification. You might not know what you're missing.
Why We're Different
As a locally-owned audiology practice in Cincinnati, our commitment to using Real Ear Measurement for every hearing aid fitting sets us apart. Our audiologists, Dr. Timothy Teague and Dr. Amanda Hoffman, are thoroughly trained in REM procedures and use this technology to optimize your hearing aid performance.
This commitment to best practices ensures you receive maximum benefit from your investment in better hearing.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
If you've been fitted with hearing aids without Real Ear Measurement, or if you're considering hearing aids for the first time, we encourage you to experience the difference proper verification makes.
Contact our office at 513-916-3656 to schedule an appointment at our Cincinnati location. We're ready to help you achieve the best possible outcomes with your hearing technology through evidence-based practices like Real Ear Measurement.
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