Carolina Hearing Doctors audiologists in North Carolina include real ear measurements as part of our best practices in hearing aid fitting.

Real ear measurement is a test audiologists use to make sure hearing aids are set up just right. During this test, a tiny microphone is placed in your ear along with the hearing aid. The microphone measures the sound levels inside your ear when different sounds are played. This helps the audiologist see exactly how loud sounds are at your eardrum and how the hearing aid is working for you.

This test is important because everyone’s ears are different. The size and shape of your ear canal can change how sound travels, so hearing aids need to be adjusted for your specific ears. Real ear measurements ensure that the hearing aid amplifies sounds correctly, making speech clear and comfortable without being too loud. Without this test, the hearing aid might not be as effective, which could make it harder to hear and understand people.

Using real ear measurements helps to provide the best possible hearing experience tailored just for you.

Why work with an audiologist who practices real ear measurements?

When you get hearing aids, it’s important they work just right for you. One way to make sure of this is by working with an audiologist who uses real ear measurements. Here’s why:

  • Better Hearing Aid Fit

Hearing aids need to be just right for your ears, not too loud or too soft. Real ear measurements help the audiologist set your hearing aids perfectly. This means you can hear better in different places, like at home, in school, or outside.

Everyone’s ears are different. Real ear measurements ensure your hearing aids are customized for you. The audiologist can fine-tune them to match your specific hearing needs.

When your hearing aids are adjusted using real ear measurements, they can be more comfortable to wear. You won’t have to keep adjusting the volume yourself, and you’ll feel more confident wearing them.

Hearing aids that are set up with real ear measurements often provide clearer sound. You can understand people talking better, even in noisy places. This can make conversations with friends and family more enjoyable.

Audiologists who use real ear measurements will often check your hearing aids regularly. This ensures they keep working well as your hearing changes over time.

Why perform Real Ear Measures?

Real Ear Measurement (REM) is very important for fitting hearing aids because it helps make sure the sound is just right for each person with hearing loss.

Here’s why REM is so important:

  • Accuracy:

Real Ear Measurements (REM) measure the exact sound levels that reach the eardrum when someone is wearing hearing aids. This helps audiologists adjust the hearing aids perfectly to match the person’s hearing needs.

REM checks that the hearing aids are set correctly according to the person’s hearing test results. It compares the sound levels in the ear to the target levels needed for the person’s hearing loss. This helps audiologists fix any differences between the planned and actual performance of the hearing aids, making them work better for the patient.

REM helps audiologists adjust the hearing aids to fit the person’s unique ear shape and hearing preferences. By measuring the sound levels in the ear canal, REM lets audiologists adjust the hearing aids in real-time.

Many studies show that hearing aids fitted with real ear measures improve speech understanding, satisfaction, and overall communication. Because of this, it is known as a key part of good audiology practice, helping audiologists give the best care and results for their patients.

If you are planning on acquiring hearing aids in North Carolina and are looking for an audiologist who practices real ear measurements, please call Carolina Hearing Doctors for an appointment!

What is the basic process of Real Ear Measurement?

The basic process of Real Ear Measurement (REM) involves several steps:

  • Preparation:

The audiologist gets the equipment ready. This includes putting a small microphone probe into the patient’s ear canal. This probe connects to a computer that measures sound levels.

Before starting, the equipment needs to be set up correctly to ensure accurate readings. This usually means adjusting settings to account for background noise and microphone sensitivity.

The patient puts on their hearing aid(s). The audiologist makes sure they fit well and work properly.

 The audiologist plays different sounds through the hearing aid(s). These sounds can be pure tones, speech, or other test signals to check how the hearing aid(s) perform in different listening environments

While the sounds play through the hearing aids, a tiny microphone measures the sound levels inside the patient’s ear. This shows how well the hearing aids are making sounds louder and if they are helping the patient hear better.

  •  The audiologist checks the data to see if they need to change the hearing aid settings. They might make the sound louder, adjust how the hearing aid responds to different sounds, or make other changes to make the hearing aid work better for the patient.

After making changes, the audiologist tests the hearing aid(s) again using the REM data. They compare the sound levels in the ear canal to the target levels needed for the patient’s hearing loss. If the levels are the same as the targets, it means the hearing aid(s) are giving the right amount of sound.

Real Ear Measurement vs. Auto Hearing Aid Programming

Real Ear Measurement (REM) and Auto Hearing Aid Programming are two ways to adjust hearing aids, but they work differently:

Real Ear Measurement (REM):
  • REM measures the actual sound levels in the ear canal while wearing hearing aids.
  • It makes sure the hearing aids are set just right for the person’s unique hearing needs and ear shape.
  • REM checks that the hearing aids are giving the right amount of sound, making them work better.
  • Auto programming uses special computer instructions or rules to change how hearing aids work. These changes are based on a person’s hearing test or other basic information about their hearing.
  • It provides a fast and automatic way to set up hearing aids without measuring sound levels in the ear canal.

What is "Manufacturer's First Fit”?

Hearing aids usually come with standard settings from the manufacturer. These settings are based on general ideas about hearing loss and might not be perfect for every person.

Each person’s hearing aid settings should be adjusted to match their unique hearing needs. This is because hearing loss can vary greatly from one person to another. Things like how much a person can hear, the shape of their ear, and their personal likes for sound all play a part in finding the best settings for a hearing aid.

Real Ear Measurement (REM) makes sure hearing aids work just right for each person. It measures the sound levels in the ear canal, helping audiologists adjust the hearing aids accurately.

Real Ear Measurement and Hearing Aid Success

Real Ear Measurement (REM) is a very important tool for people using hearing aids. It helps improve the quality of life for those with hearing loss.

REM measures the sound levels in your ear canal while you are wearing hearing aids. This helps ensure that your hearing aids are set just right for your unique hearing needs.

At Carolina Hearing Doctors, audiologists use real ear measurements to give you the best sound possible, made just for you.

With REM, you can enjoy clearer speech, more comfort, and greater satisfaction with your hearing aids.

Our audiologists are experts, and their use of REM can make your hearing aid experience much better, leading to more success and enjoyment in your daily life.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the top audiologists in North Carolina!