Hearing aid software can recommend settings based on your hearing test, but how much sound are your hearing aids actually delivering in your ears? Real-ear measurements help answer that question, giving your audiologist measurements to guide programming adjustments.
What Are Real-Ear Measurements?
Real-ear measurements, sometimes called REM, measure the sound produced by a hearing aid inside your ear canal.
Your audiologist compares these measurements with prescription targets based on your hearing test results. These targets guide how much amplification to provide across different pitches and sound levels.
The goal is to make speech sounds more audible while keeping overall loudness comfortable.
Why Check the Hearing Aids in Your Ears?
Hearing aid fitting software provides an initial setting, often called a “first fit.” This is a starting point, but the software’s prediction does not confirm the sound reaching your eardrum.
Your ear canal’s size and shape, along with the hearing aid’s earpiece, affect the sound delivered. Real-ear measurements let your audiologist check that response and identify where adjustments are needed.
What Happens During Real-Ear Measurements?
Your audiologist places a thin, flexible probe tube in your ear canal alongside the hearing aid. The tube connects to a microphone that measures sound near your eardrum.
Recorded sounds play through a speaker while the equipment measures the hearing aid’s response. Your audiologist checks amplification for soft, moderate, and loud speech, compares the results with prescription targets, and adjusts the programming as needed.
Measurements are repeated to check the effect of those changes. Your feedback about comfort and sound quality also remains part of the fitting process.
Are Real-Ear Measurements the Whole Fitting Process?
Real-ear measurements verify amplification. They do not, by themselves, measure how well you understand conversation or resolve every listening difficulty.
That is why verification belongs within a broader care process. Follow-up appointments, benefit testing, and discussion of your everyday listening experiences help determine how well your hearing aids are meeting your needs.
Real-Ear Measurements at Comprehensive Hearing Solutions
At Comprehensive Hearing Solutions in Houma, Dr. Erin Rushing uses real-ear measurements as part of the hearing aid fitting process. Verification is followed by ongoing care and benefit testing to assess how the hearing aids are helping.
Explore our prescription hearing aid options, or learn more about our hearing aid fitting and programming process.
If your current hearing aids are not helping as expected, contact our office to discuss an appointment.
