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Understanding Real Ear Measurements and How They Improve Your Hearing Aids
Real Ear Measurement (REM) stands as one of the most significant ways to make sure hearing aids work as intended. Many people don't know about this testing, but it makes a substantial difference in how well hearing aids perform for each person.
Real Ear Measurement allows audiologists to verify that hearing aids provide the exact amount of amplification needed for each person's unique hearing loss. This testing shows precisely how sounds reach your eardrum through your hearing aids, letting us make detailed adjustments that match your specific needs. At Hearing & Balance Solutions in Charlotte, Dr. Gosu uses Real Ear Measurement with every hearing aid fitting as part of our commitment to providing evidence-based care.
Hearing aids can help people with all types of hearing loss, from mild to profound. Whether you're having trouble following conversations in restaurants, hearing on the phone, or understanding TV dialogue, properly fitted hearing aids can make a significant difference in your daily life. The key is working with an experienced audiologist who uses proven fitting methods like Real Ear Measurement to ensure you get the most benefit from your hearing technology.
What Is Real Ear Measurement?
Real Ear Measurement uses tiny microphones to measure the actual sound output of hearing aids while they sit in your ear. This process shows exactly what sounds your hearing aids deliver to your eardrum, letting audiologists make precise adjustments based on your specific hearing needs and ear canal shape.
Think of your ear canal like a room - everyone's shaped differently, and sound bounces around in unique ways before reaching your eardrum. Real Ear Measurement places a small microphone at the opening of your ear canal and another near your eardrum. When sounds play through your hearing aids, these microphones measure how the sound changes as it travels through your ear canal.
The measurements appear on a computer screen as detailed graphs, showing your audiologist exactly how much sound reaches your eardrum at different pitches. This information lets them adjust your hearing aids to match your hearing prescription with great accuracy. Without this testing, hearing aid settings would be based on predictions and averages rather than your actual ear canal acoustics.
For example, if the testing shows that certain speech sounds aren't reaching your eardrum at the right volume, your audiologist can immediately adjust those specific frequencies. This level of precision helps explain why some hearing aid users have much better results than others - their devices were fine-tuned using Real Ear Measurement rather than estimated settings.
How Real Ear Measurement Works
Each person's ear canal has a unique size and shape. These differences affect how hearing aid sounds travel to the eardrum. Without REM testing, hearing aid programming relies on averages and estimates rather than exact measurements. Think of it like buying shoes - you wouldn't want shoes based on average foot measurements; you want them to fit your feet exactly.
During REM testing, your audiologist:
- Places a small microphone in your ear cana
- Positions your hearing aid with the microphone
- Plays various sounds through speakers
- Measures exactly what reaches your eardrum
- Makes adjustments to match your prescription
The testing shows if your hearing aids deliver the right amount of sound across all frequencies. This precision helps make speech clearer and sounds more natural.
Benefits of Real Ear Measurement
Better Speech Understanding
REM ensures your hearing aids amplify speech sounds at the right levels. This leads to better conversations in both quiet and noisy settings. Speech contains many different frequencies - from low-pitched vowel sounds to high-pitched consonants like 's' and 'th'. Each of these sounds needs the right amount of amplification to be clear and natural. REM testing verifies that all speech sounds reach your eardrum at the correct levels, making it easier to follow conversations without straining. This is particularly valuable in challenging listening situations like restaurants or group discussions where understanding speech clearly makes a significant difference.
Proper Sound Balance
The testing helps create the right balance between soft and loud sounds. You get the amplification you need without sounds becoming uncomfortably loud. One common complaint with hearing aids is that some sounds seem too loud while others remain too quiet. REM addresses this by measuring how your hearing aids handle sounds at different volume levels. Your audiologist can see exactly how soft, moderate, and loud sounds are being amplified and make adjustments accordingly. This precise tuning means quiet sounds become audible without loud sounds becoming overwhelming - creating a more comfortable listening experience throughout your day.
Reduced Return Visits
When hearing aids are properly fitted with REM, you typically need fewer adjustment appointments. The settings work better from the start because they're based on actual measurements rather than estimates. Many hearing aid users make multiple trips back to their audiologist for adjustments when their devices aren't working quite right. With REM testing, we can identify and fix potential issues during the initial fitting. The settings are tailored specifically to your ears from day one, which means you spend less time coming back for tweaks and more time enjoying better hearing. This targeted approach helps you adapt to your hearing aids more quickly and comfortably.
Each of these benefits builds on the others - better speech understanding and proper sound balance lead to fewer needed adjustments, while accurate initial fittings help ensure speech sounds and overall volume are optimal from the start. This comprehensive approach through Real Ear Measurement creates a foundation for successful hearing aid use.
What Research Shows
Studies demonstrate that hearing aid fittings with Real Ear Measurements lead to:
- Higher user satisfaction
- Better speech understanding
- More consistent results
- Fewer returns and adjustments
Signs Your Hearing Aids May Need REM Testing
You might benefit from REM testing if:
- You find yourself often adjusting your hearing aid volume
- Speech sounds unclear or muffled
- Some sounds seem too loud while others too soft
- You're not getting the benefit you expected from your hearing aids
The REM Testing Experience
The actual testing process takes about 15-20 minutes for both ears. You sit in a chair while various sounds play through speakers. The process doesn't hurt, and you don't need to respond or do anything special. Your audiologist watches the measurements on a screen and makes adjustments to your hearing aid settings based on what the testing shows.
Why We Use Real Ear Measurements
At Hearing & Balance Solutions, we believe in using evidence-based best practices for every patient. That's why Dr. Gosu uses Real Ear Measurements as part of our standard fitting process. This commitment to best practices has earned us recognition as a Dr. Cliff Approved Provider and helps explain why we maintain a 4.9-star rating with over 100 reviews.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you're considering hearing aids or want to improve how your current ones perform, contact us at (704) 912-4422. Dr. Gosu and our team will use Real Ear Measurements to help you achieve the best possible hearing experience. Our new South Park location offers convenient access and parking, making it easy to get the care you need.
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