Getting the right hearing aid is just one part of the equation when addressing hearing loss. A successful hearing aid fitting relies on Real Ear Measurement (REM), an important step in ensuring that hearing aids perform as they should. REM allows hearing health professionals to fine-tune hearing aids based on how they work inside your ear, which can make a significant difference in the quality of sound you experience.
What Is Real Ear Measurement?
REM is a precise method used to verify how a hearing aid amplifies sound inside your ear. While hearing aids can be programmed based on general settings, no two ears are exactly alike. REM measures the output of the hearing aid in real-time as sound travels through your ear canal. This personalized approach ensures that your hearing aid is tailored to your unique hearing profile.
Using a small microphone, hearing health professionals measure the sound levels within the ear canal. Adjustments are made to improve the performance of your hearing aid by comparing these measurements to a target that reflects your hearing needs. This detailed process allows you to hear more clearly, especially in complex sound environments, like crowded places or noisy restaurants.
Why Real Ear Measurement is Important
Without REM, hearing aids are often adjusted based on estimates rather than actual results. These estimates might not account for the specific shape and size of your ear canal, which can affect how sound is delivered.
Since every ear is different, fitting a hearing aid without these specific measurements may result in under-amplification or over-amplification, both of which can negatively impact your ability to hear clearly. For example, if you struggle with soft sounds, such as quiet conversations or distant noises, Real Ear Measurement helps amplify these sounds to make them easier to hear.
Many individuals with hearing loss experience discomfort or frustration when their hearing aids do not perform as expected. Some might report that voices sound too loud, too soft, or distorted. Real Ear Measurement eliminates this trial-and-error approach by allowing adjustments based on real-time feedback from your ear canal. Using REM in a hearing aid fitting process allows for more accuracy, and reduces the number of follow-up visits and re-adjustments that may be necessary without REM.
Improved Hearing in Complex Environments
One of the main challenges of hearing loss is navigating complex sound environments. Places like busy streets, restaurants, or family gatherings can be difficult for those with hearing aids if they aren’t fine-tuned to their individual needs. REM helps address this problem by offering more precise amplification in these challenging situations. Sounds from different directions or varying levels of loudness are more accurately amplified, allowing you to distinguish between background noise and important sounds, like voices.
Using REM during your hearing aid fitting is an investment in your long-term hearing health. While some may opt for quicker, more basic fittings, skipping this step can lead to discomfort, frustration, and ineffective hearing aid performance. Over time, poor fittings can cause people to stop using their hearing aids altogether, leaving their hearing loss unmanaged. Contact us today to schedule a hearing exam or if you have any questions.