If you’ve recently been fitted with hearing aids or are considering them, you’ve likely heard about the importance of personalized care. One of the most critical steps in ensuring your hearing aids perform optimally is real-ear measurements (REMs). This technique is considered the gold standard for hearing aid fittings and can significantly enhance your hearing experience. Here’s what you need to know about real-ear measurements and why they matter.
What Are Real-Ear Measurements?
Real-ear measurements are objective tests used to verify that hearing aids are programmed to provide the correct amplification for your specific hearing needs. During the procedure, a tiny probe microphone is placed in your ear canal along with your hearing aid. This microphone measures the actual sound levels being delivered by the hearing aid to your eardrum.
Unlike relying solely on manufacturer presets or general fitting formulas, REMs account for individual differences in ear canal shape, size, and acoustic properties, providing a truly customized fit.
Why Are Real-Ear Measurements Important?
Hearing is as unique as a fingerprint, and one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work well. Here’s why REMs are essential:
- Accuracy: Without real-ear measurements, audiologists must rely on estimates of how much amplification your hearing aids provide. These estimates can be imprecise, leading to under-amplification (where you miss important sounds) or over-amplification (which can cause discomfort or even further damage to your hearing).
- Personalization: Real-ear measurements ensure that your hearing aids are tailored to your individual hearing loss and listening environments. This customization improves speech clarity, comfort, and overall satisfaction with your devices.
- Evidence-Based Care: Research consistently shows that hearing aids fitted using REMs lead to better outcomes compared to those fitted without this verification step. Patients experience improved speech understanding, particularly in challenging listening situations.
- Comfort and Safety: Proper amplification levels prevent sounds from being too loud or distorted, reducing the risk of discomfort or noise-induced harm.
How Real-Ear Measurements Work
The process of real-ear measurements is straightforward and non-invasive:
- Insertion of Probe Microphone: A tiny, flexible tube is placed into your ear canal to measure sound levels near your eardrum.
- Sound Presentation: Your audiologist plays specific sounds through a speaker while your hearing aid is in place.
- Adjustment: The probe microphone captures how the hearing aid amplifies these sounds. Based on the measurements, your audiologist adjusts the hearing aid settings to ensure they match your hearing prescription.
This precise process ensures your hearing aids are fine-tuned to provide the best possible performance.
Why You Should Ask for Real-Ear Measurements
Despite being recognized as a best practice, not all hearing aid fittings include real-ear measurements. Some clinics may skip this step due to time constraints or lack of equipment. However, skipping REMs can lead to subpar hearing aid performance and dissatisfaction.
When choosing an audiologist, make sure to ask if they perform real-ear measurements as part of their fitting process. This step demonstrates a commitment to providing the highest standard of care and ensures your hearing aids are optimized for your unique needs.
Final Thoughts
Real-ear measurements are more than just a technical procedure; they’re a cornerstone of effective hearing aid fittings. By ensuring your devices are fine-tuned to your specific hearing profile, REMs provide better sound quality, comfort, and overall satisfaction.
If you’re getting new hearing aids or feel your current ones aren’t performing as well as they should, reach out to your audiologist and ask about real-ear measurements. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in your hearing journey.
Georgianna Hearne, Au.D., CCC-A, American Board of Audiology Certified
Clinical Director