Link Audiology provides Real Ear Measurement at our locations in Silverdale, Vashon, and University Place, WA.
Real ear measurement, or REM, ensures accurate hearing aid fitting. Audiologists use REM to measure how well hearing aids work in your ear, helping create a custom fit for your hearing needs.
Real ear measurement (REM) is like getting the perfect size of shoes but for your ears. When you get hearing aids, they need to be just right so you can hear well and feel comfortable. REM helps audiologists, who are ear doctors, make sure your hearing aids fit perfectly.
Without REM, the hearing aids might not work as well. They might be too loud or too soft. REM helps the audiologist adjust the hearing aids so they are just right for you. This way, you can hear your friends, family, and everything else clearly. So, REM is really important for making sure your hearing aids help you hear your best!
History of Real Ear Measurement
Real ear measurement (REM) started many years ago when people first made hearing aids to help those who couldn’t hear well. At first, they didn’t have a way to check if the hearing aids worked perfectly for each person. They just hoped the settings were good enough.
Then, smart scientists and audiologists figured out a way to measure how sound behaves inside the ear with a hearing aid. They created a special tool with a tiny microphone to see if the hearing aid was making sounds louder in the right way.
Over time, this tool improved. Now, REM is a standard part of fitting hearing aids. It’s like a magic trick that helps audiologists ensure that your hearing aids are perfect for your ears. This makes hearing aids much more effective and comfortable!
Why Perform Real Ear Measures?
When you get a new pair of shoes, you want them to fit just right, not too tight or too loose. The same thing happens with hearing aids, which help people hear better. But hearing aids are a bit more complicated than shoes. That’s why audiologists use a special method called real ear measurement (REM) to make sure hearing aids fit perfectly.
Why Do Audiologists Perform REM?
Accurate Fit
REM is all about accuracy. When an audiologist fits a hearing aid, they need to know exactly how sounds are being amplified inside your ear. Everyone’s ears are different, so a hearing aid that works well for one person might not work as well for another. REM helps the audiologist see how sounds behave in your specific ear. This means they can adjust the hearing aid to make sure it’s just right for you.
Benefits of REM
- Better Hearing: With REM, the hearing aid is adjusted to match your hearing needs exactly. This helps you hear sounds more clearly, whether it’s a friend talking, music playing, or birds chirping.
- Comfort: When the hearing aid is set up correctly, it feels more comfortable. It won’t be too loud or too soft, so you won’t have to keep adjusting the volume.
- Improved Communication: Better hearing means you can join conversations more easily. You won’t miss out on important words or sounds, making it easier to talk with friends and family.
Hearing Aid Verification
Verification is a fancy word for making sure something works correctly. With REM, the audiologist verifies that the hearing aid is doing its job. They use a tiny microphone placed in your ear to measure how the hearing aid is amplifying sounds. If the hearing aid isn’t working just right, the audiologist can see this in the measurements and make adjustments. This step is crucial because it ensures that the hearing aid is set up to help you hear as well as possible.
Gold Standard in Hearing Aid Fittings
REM is considered the “gold standard” in hearing aid fittings. This means it’s the best and most reliable way to fit hearing aids. Here’s why:
- Precision: REM provides precise information about how sounds are being amplified in your ear. This precision helps audiologists make the perfect adjustments.
- Personalization: Since everyone’s ears are different, REM allows for a personalized fit. The hearing aid settings are customized just for you, making them more effective.
- Proven Results: Over many years, REM has been proven to work well. It helps people hear better and makes hearing aids more comfortable and effective.
What is the Basic Process of Real Ear Measurement?
Real ear measurement (REM) is a special way to make sure hearing aids work just right for your ears. Here’s how it works, step by step:
Basic Process of Real Ear Measurement
- Preparation: The audiologist explains what they’re going to do and asks you to sit still in a comfy chair.
- Calibration of the Probe Microphone: The audiologist plays some test sounds to check that the microphone is working correctly. This ensures the microphone gives accurate information.
- Placing the Probe Microphone: They gently place a tiny tube, called a probe microphone, into your ear. This microphone listens to sounds inside your ear.
- Measuring your Ear: The audiologist measures the sounds in your ear without any hearing aid in place. This tells us how your ear shapes sound.
- Measuring the Sounds: With the probe microphone still in place, the audiologist puts the hearing aid into your ear. They play different sounds and measure how these sounds travel into your ear. The microphone listens and sends the information to a computer.
- Analyzing the Results: The computer shows the audiologist how the sounds behave in your ear. This helps them see if the hearing aid is making sounds louder in the right way. If needed, the audiologist makes adjustments to the hearing aid.
- Adjusting the Hearing Aid: Using the information from the microphone, the audiologist adjusts the hearing aid settings. They make the sounds louder or softer as needed to match your hearing needs.
- Final Check: The audiologist performs a final check with more test sounds to ensure everything is just right. When satisfied, they remove the probe microphone.
Why is Calibration Important?
Calibration ensures the probe microphone is accurate, making the whole process reliable and effective.
Are Real Ear Measurements Necessary?
Real ear measurement (REM) is very important for ensuring that hearing aids work their best. Think of it like getting a pair of glasses. Glasses need to be just right for your eyes to help you see clearly. Similarly, hearing aids need to be adjusted perfectly for your ears to help you hear well. REM is how audiologists, or ear doctors, do this.
Why is REM Necessary?
Accurate Hearing Aid Fit
Every person’s ears are different. Without REM, it’s hard to know if a hearing aid is making sounds louder in the right way. REM helps audiologists see exactly how sounds are amplified inside your ear. This way, they can adjust the hearing aid so you hear clearly and comfortably.
Personalized Sound
REM allows for a personalized fit. It’s not just about making sounds louder; it’s about making sure the sounds you hear are clear and natural. The audiologist uses a tiny microphone to measure how the hearing aid works in your ear and then adjusts it for the best sound.
Verification
REM also helps verify that the hearing aid is working correctly. The audiologist can see if the hearing aid is doing its job by measuring how it amplifies sounds. If it isn’t working right, the audiologist can make the necessary adjustments.
Benefits of REM
- Better Hearing: REM ensures that the hearing aid settings are just right for you so you can hear things clearly.
- Comfort: Properly adjusted hearing aids are more comfortable to wear because the sound levels are right for your ears.
- Improved Communication: With REM, you can understand conversations better, making it easier to talk with friends and family.
OTC Hearing Aids and Lack of REM
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are hearing aids you can buy directly from a store or online without seeing an audiologist. While they might seem convenient, they have a big downside: they don’t use REM.
Why is This a Problem?
- One Size Fits All: OTC hearing aids are made with general settings that might not fit your specific hearing needs. Since everyone’s hearing is different, these generic settings may not help you hear as well as you could.
- No Professional Adjustment: Without an audiologist to measure and adjust the hearing aid, it’s hard to get the best performance. This can lead to sounds being too loud, too soft, or just not clear enough.
OTC Hearing Aids and REM
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids can be measured with REM, but your audiologist likely won’t be able to adjust them according to the REM results.
Real Ear Measurement vs. Auto Hearing Aid Programming
When you get a hearing aid, you want it to work perfectly so you can hear well. There are two main ways to set up a hearing aid: Real Ear Measurement (REM) and Auto Hearing Aid Programming. Let’s talk about the differences and why REM is important.
Real Ear Measurement (REM)
REM is like having a tailor customize your clothes to fit you perfectly. An audiologist, who is an ear doctor, uses a tiny microphone to measure how sounds are amplified inside your ear. Here’s how it works:
- Measuring Sounds: The audiologist puts a small microphone in your ear along with the hearing aid. They play different sounds to see how the hearing aid amplifies them.
- Adjusting the Hearing Aid: The audiologist adjusts the hearing aid settings using the information from the microphone, making sure the sounds are just right for you.
Auto Hearing Aid Programming
Auto Hearing Aid Programming is like buying clothes off the rack. It uses pre-set programs created by the hearing aid manufacturer. Here’s how it works:
- Manufacturer’s First Fit: The hearing aid comes with a “first fit” setting, which is a general program designed to work for many people. It’s like a one-size-fits-all solution.
- Automatic Adjustments: Some hearing aids can adjust themselves automatically based on the sounds around you, but they don’t measure how sounds are amplified in your specific ear.
Differences Between REM and Auto Programming
- Customization: REM provides a custom fit for your hearing aid. It measures how sounds behave in your ear and adjusts the hearing aid specifically for you. Auto programming uses general settings that may be flawed.
- Accuracy: REM is more accurate because it uses real measurements from your ear. Auto programming relies on pre-set programs that might not match your unique hearing needs.
- Verification: With REM, the audiologist can verify that the hearing aid is working correctly in your ear. Auto programming doesn’t offer this level of verification.
Why REM Should Be Part of the Hearing Aid Protocol
REM should be part of the hearing aid protocol because it ensures a perfect fit and accurate sound amplification. This leads to better hearing and more comfort. When the hearing aid is customized using REM, you can hear more clearly and naturally.
Manufacturer’s First Fit
The “manufacturer’s first fit” is a starting point. It’s like buying a new computer that comes with default settings. These settings might work okay, but they aren’t tailored to your specific needs. Just like you personalize your computer, hearing aids need to be personalized too.
Unique Hearing Needs
Everyone’s ears and hearing needs are different. Some people might need more amplification for high-pitched sounds, while others might need it for low-pitched sounds. REM helps the audiologist make these specific adjustments so the hearing aid works best for you.
Real Ear Measurement and Hearing Aid Success
Real ear measurements are crucial for successful hearing aid fittings. They ensure a custom fit, better sound quality, and overall satisfaction.
At Link Audiology, we use real ear measurements to provide the best hearing aid fittings on every hearing aid we fit. Visit us in Silverdale, WA, Vashon, WA, or University Place, WA.
Schedule your appointment today and experience the benefits of real ear measurements for yourself.
