Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers has hearing aid specialists in Hilton Head Island & Bluffton, SC providing real ear measurements as part of hearing aid fitting best practices.
Real Ear Measurement (REM) is a special test that helps ensure hearing aids are set up correctly for each person. Everyone’s ears are shaped differently, and sound changes as it moves through the ear canal. REM allows hearing aid specialists to measure how sound behaves in your ear and adjust your hearing aid for the best results.
Why Is Real Ear Measurement Important?
REM makes sure hearing aids work properly by:
- Ensuring sounds are clear and at the right volume.
- Customizing the settings for each person’s unique ears.
- Improving speech clarity so conversations are easier to follow.
- Preventing sounds from being too loud or too soft.
Without REM, hearing aids may not be adjusted correctly, making it harder to hear well.
How Does Real Ear Measurement Work?
During REM, a tiny microphone is placed inside the ear canal along with the hearing aid. This microphone measures how sound behaves in the ear, allowing the hearing aid specialist to make precise adjustments. This ensures the hearing aid provides clear, natural sound.
The History of Real Ear Measurement
Before Real Ear Measurement, audiologists and hearing aid specialists used general hearing aid settings that didn’t always work well for everyone. In the 1980s, REM became widely used to personalize hearing aid fittings. Today, it is considered the gold standard in hearing aid fittings because it helps people hear better with properly adjusted hearing aids.
Why Perform Real Ear Measurements?
Real Ear Measurement is a key step in fitting hearing aids. Here’s why it matters:
- Ensures Accuracy – No two ears are the same, so REM helps create a personalized fit.
- Verifies Hearing Aid Performance – Manufacturer settings are just a starting point. REM fine-tunes them for each person.
- Improves Speech Understanding – REM helps ensure conversations are easier to hear.
- Prevents Uncomfortable Sounds – Without REM, sounds may be too loud or too soft.
- Reduces the Need for Extra Adjustments – A proper REM fitting means fewer follow-up visits for adjustments.
Audiologists and hearing aid specialists trust REM because it provides the most accurate and personalized hearing aid fit possible.
How Does Real Ear Measurement Work?
Here’s what happens during a Real Ear Measurement test:
- Placing the Probe Microphone – A tiny microphone is placed in the ear canal next to the eardrum.
- Testing Sounds – The hearing aid specialist plays different sounds through a speaker to measure how they react inside the ear.
- Adjusting the Hearing Aid – The specialist compares the measurements to a target range and adjusts the hearing aid accordingly.
- Final Check – The hearing aid is tested again to make sure everything sounds clear and comfortable.
Calibration of the Probe Microphone
Before testing, the hearing aid specialist calibrates the probe microphone to ensure it provides accurate results. This helps make sure the hearing aid is adjusted properly.
Are Real Ear Measurements Necessary?
Yes! REM is an important part of hearing aid fitting. Without it:
- Hearing aids might not provide the right amount of sound.
- Some over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids lack customization, leading to poor performance.
- Many people who struggle with their hearing aids never had REM done.
- Studies show that REM improves hearing aid satisfaction.
REM ensures hearing aids are fine-tuned for each person, providing the best possible hearing experience.
Real Ear Measurement vs. Automatic Hearing Aid Programming
Many hearing aids come with auto programming or a manufacturer’s first fit setting. But there’s a big difference between this and Real Ear Measurement.
- Auto programming uses general ear settings, which may not be accurate for you.
- REM measures sound inside your actual ear and adjusts the hearing aid for a perfect fit.
- Manufacturer’s First Fit is just a basic setup, while REM ensures customized settings.
While automatic programming is a helpful starting point, it does not replace Real Ear Measurement. If you want the clearest and most comfortable hearing experience, REM is essential.
Real Ear Measurement and Hearing Aid Success
REM helps people get the best results from their hearing aids. It ensures speech sounds natural, background noise is comfortable, and the hearing aid is working as it should.
Hearing Aid Fittings in Hilton Head Island & Bluffton, SC
At Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers, we use Real Ear Measurement to give our patients the best hearing experience possible. If you or a loved one are getting hearing aids, make sure REM is part of the fitting process.
Call us today to schedule your hearing aid fitting!
You can find our hearing aid specialists in Hilton Head Island, SC or Bluffton, SC.