Harbor City Hearing Solutions audiologists in Melbourne, FL, employ the best practices in the hearing healthcare industry, including real ear measurements.
The main goal of hearing aid fitting is to help you hear better. Fitting the device to your needs is important so that you can understand what people are saying more clearly. Real-ear measurement (REM) is the best way to make sure the device is fitted correctly for your needs.
Even if you purchase the most expensive or highly-advanced hearing aid, it won’t be a guarantee that you’ll get the best hearing experience without proper hearing aid fitting and real ear measurements performed by an audiologist.
What is real ear measurement?
Real ear measurement is a way to check if a person’s hearing has improved after using a hearing aid. This is done by checking the sound pressure level in their ear canal. This is the best way to make sure that the person is getting the right level of amplification needed to improve their hearing.
The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association both agree that REM is one of the best practices for fitting hearing aids.
Real ear verification is used by audiologists and other hearing healthcare professionals to improve the accuracy of hearing aid fittings.
Audiologists can use REM to make judgments about how well someone can hear with a hearing aid and if the treatment is effective.
What happens during real ear measurement?
A thin probe microphone will be inserted into the ear canal. An audiologist will first examine the ear canal with an otoscope to make sure there is no wax or other dirt that will get in the way of the probe tube.
The thin wire will be positioned about 6mm from the tympanic membrane. After that, the hearing aid will be placed in the ear.
The real ear measurement system will produce a test stimulus from a loudspeaker positioned close to the patient’s head. The system will also measure how much amplification the hearing aid is producing.
Audiologists can adjust sound levels to accurately meet the target hearing requirements across all speech frequencies. If you want to ensure that you are getting the most out of your hearing aid, work with an audiologist who performs real ear verification.
Are audiologists required to perform real ear measurements?
Many audiologists do not use real ear measurements when fitting hearing aids. In fact, only a third of audiologists in the U.S. use this technique.
If you want to make sure your hearing aid works well and you enjoy a superior listening experience from your device, we recommend finding an audiologist who practices real ear measurements.
Several studies have shown that patients who were fitted with hearing aids using real ear measurements were more satisfied with their listening experience and hearing aid usage compared to those who did not get real ear verification.
REM may be a simple procedure in hearing aid fitting but it can make a big difference to the overall hearing aid usage and experience.
Harbor City Hearing Solutions provides hearing aid fittings in Melbourne, FL, using real ear measurements .
Importance of Real Ear Measurement
Having good hearing across a wide range of pitches is important for being able to hear sounds and speech clearly.
Audiologists and hearing care practitioners use real ear measurements to make sure that factors like the shape and size of the ear canal are considered. This helps ensure good auditory access to speech with hearing aids.
Since every person’s hearing loss is unique, the way to treat it should also be unique and personalized. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for hearing loss, and that also remains true for fitting and programming a hearing aid.
The gains and losses of a hearing device vary on a patient’s hearing loss, and real ear measurement plays a crucial role in making sure that a patient’s specific hearing requirements are met.
Studies have shown that patients who get fitted with hearing aids with real ear measurements have a better hearing experience compared to patients who do not.
The method of real ear measurement is science-based and backed up with medical evidence. This means that the accuracy and precision of hearing aid fitting using real ear measurements are very reliable.
Real Ear Measurement – The Gold Standard of Hearing Aid Fitting
Hearing aids that are calibrated to prescriptive targets have higher rates of success when it comes to providing the best hearing improvement to patients.
Hearing aids are only as good if they’re matched to your ears properly. No matter how expensive, high-end, or advanced a hearing aid is, its performance greatly depends on programming and real ear measurements.
You need an audiologist who practices real ear measurements, so you can be sure that the hearing device is accurately adjusted based on your hearing test results.
Hearing Aid Dispensing and Fitting at Harbor City Hearing Solutions
After a hearing evaluation, you will need to choose a hearing aid and we will program it based on a prescription to meet your specific hearing needs. All of our audiologists perform real ear measurements as part of the hearing aid fitting.
We will explain how to use the device, how to wear and remove them, and how to change/charge batteries. Proper cleaning and maintenance will also be discussed to maximize the life of your hearing device.
Audiologists and Hearing Aids in Melbourne, FL
Harbor City Hearing Solutions believes optimum hearing offers a better quality of life. We are proud to have a team of hearing healthcare professionals that practice the best practices in the hearing healthcare industry, including real ear measurements.
When you get your hearing aids from our clinic, you are guaranteed the best-personalized hearing solutions, from hearing aid fitting to real ear measurements and programming.
Are you ready to hear better today? Contact us to schedule an appointment!