The Role of Real Ear Measurements in Optimizing Hearing Aid Performance

For people with hearing loss, hearing aids can be transformative, enhancing their ability to interact and engage with the world around them. Lately, you may have seen quick-and-easy online hearing aid sales where you fit yourself. It is important to keep in mind, however, that merely wearing a hearing aid is insufficient for optimal results. It is important to seek the services and expertise of an audiologist to ensure that you are properly addressing your hearing needs.

Finding an Audiologist that utilizes a crucial process known as Real Ear Measurement (REM) is imperative to unlock the full potential of these sophisticated devices. At Silicon Valley Hearing, we employ best practices like REM to ensure our patients derive maximum benefits from their hearing aids. Let’s explore the significance of REM and its advantages for hearing aid wearers.

What are Real Ear Measurements?

Real Ear Measurement, sometimes referred to as probe microphone measurement, is an objective and scientific methodology utilized to assess and refine the functioning of hearing aids. During this process, a slender, pliable microphone tube is carefully inserted into the ear canal while the hearing aid is in position. The audiologist then plays a range of audio signals and measures how the hearing aid amplifies these sounds within the individual's unique ear canal anatomy.

The uniqueness of every individual's ear canal shape significantly influences how sound is perceived, making REM crucial. The effectiveness of hearing aids can vary even among those with similar hearing loss profiles due to these variations. REM empowers audiologists to observe the hearing aid's performance in each person's ear, enabling them to make more informed decisions rather than relying on assumptions or averages.

Why Real Ear Measurements Matter

Studies have consistently shown that patients whose hearing aids are fitted using REM report higher satisfaction levels with their devices. This increased satisfaction often leads to better adherence to hearing aid use, which in turn results in improved quality of life and communication outcomes.

One of the primary benefits of REM is that it allows for a truly personalized fitting of hearing aids. Rather than relying solely on the hearing aid manufacturer's initial programming based on your audiogram, REM enables your audiologist to see how the device is actually performing in your ear. This level of customization is essential for achieving optimal sound quality and speech understanding.

By using REM, audiologists can ensure that speech sounds are amplified to the appropriate levels across different frequencies. This is particularly important for consonant sounds, which are crucial for speech clarity but often fall in the higher frequency range where many people with hearing loss struggle. Proper amplification of these sounds can significantly improve speech understanding, especially in challenging listening environments.

One of the most valuable aspects of REM is that it provides objective data about the hearing aid's performance. Rather than relying solely on the patient's subjective feedback (which is still important), audiologists can see concrete evidence of how the device is functioning. This objectivity is especially helpful when working with patients who may have difficulty articulating their listening experiences or when troubleshooting specific issues.

Common Misconceptions About Real Ear Measurements

Despite the clear benefits of REM, some misconceptions persist:

1. "It's not necessary if the hearing aids are pre-programmed." While modern hearing aids come with sophisticated pre-programming based on your audiogram, this is just a starting point. REM is essential for fine-tuning the device to your unique ear canal and listening needs.
2. "It's only needed for severe hearing losses." REM is beneficial for all degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound. Even small adjustments can make a significant difference in sound quality and speech understanding.
3. "It's a one-time process." While the initial REM is crucial, follow-up measurements may be necessary as your hearing or listening needs change over time.
4. "It's time-consuming and expensive." While REM does add some time to the fitting process, the benefits far outweigh this small investment. Many audiologists, including us at Silicon Valley Hearing, include REM as part of our standard fitting process at no additional charge.

The Real Ear Measurement Process

At Silicon Valley Hearing, we incorporate REM as a standard part of our hearing aid fitting process. REM helps strike the right balance between audibility and comfort. While it's important to amplify sounds sufficiently for the wearer to hear them, overamplification can lead to discomfort and even further hearing damage. REM allows audiologists to fine-tune the hearing aid's output to provide the best possible sound quality without exceeding safe listening levels.

Here's what you can expect:

1. Initial Programming: Based on your audiogram and the specific hearing aid you've chosen, we'll program the device according to the manufacturer's recommended settings.
2. Probe Microphone Placement: A thin, flexible tube microphone is gently inserted into your ear canal alongside your hearing aid.
3. Measurement of Unaided Response: We'll measure how sound naturally resonates in your ear canal without amplification.
4. Aided Response Measurement: Various sounds, including speech-like noises, will be played through speakers while we measure how the hearing aid amplifies these sounds in your ear canal.
5. Fine-Tuning: Based on the REM results, we'll make adjustments to your hearing aid's programming to optimize its performance for your specific needs and ear canal acoustics.
6. Verification: We'll repeat the measurements to ensure the adjustments have achieved the desired results.
7. Real-World Fine-Tuning: After you've had a chance to use your hearing aids in various real-world environments, we may perform additional REM sessions to further refine the settings based on your experiences.

The Importance of Working with an Experienced Audiologist

While REM is a powerful tool, its effectiveness relies heavily on the skill and experience of the audiologist performing the measurements and interpreting the results. At Silicon Valley Hearing, Dr. Marni Novick brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the REM process. Her personal experience with hearing loss and hearing aids gives her a unique perspective and dedication to ensuring each patient achieves the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Novick understands that REM is just one part of the comprehensive hearing care process. She combines the objective data from REM with careful consideration of each patient's lifestyle, listening needs, and personal preferences to create a truly personalized hearing solution.

Beyond Initial Fitting: Ongoing Care and Adjustments

It's important to note that while REM is a crucial part of the initial hearing aid fitting process, it's not the end of the journey. As you adapt to your hearing aids and use them in various real-world environments, you may notice areas where further adjustments could be beneficial. This is why we encourage our patients to maintain regular follow-up appointments.

During these follow-up visits, we can perform additional REM sessions to fine-tune your hearing aids based on your experiences. This ongoing process ensures that your hearing aids continue to meet your needs as your lifestyle or hearing may change over time.

Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Hearing Aids

Real Ear Measurement is a powerful tool that allows audiologists to optimize hearing aid performance for each individual wearer. By providing objective data about how hearing aids are actually performing in your ear, REM enables a level of personalization and fine-tuning that simply isn't possible with other fitting methods.

At Silicon Valley Hearing, we're committed to using best practices like REM to ensure our patients get the most out of their hearing aids. We understand that hearing aids represent a significant investment in your health and quality of life, and we're dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcomes.

If you're considering hearing aids or are unsure if your current devices are optimized for your needs, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our top-rated Audiologist Dr. Marni Novick. Experience the difference that expert care and advanced fitting techniques like Real Ear Measurement can make in your hearing journey. Your path to better hearing starts here at Silicon Valley Hearing.