How Real Ear Measurement Optimizes Hearing Aid Performance
Hearing aids are a crucial lifeline for individuals living with hearing loss, but the secret to success with their effectiveness depends significantly on how well they are calibrated to the user's ears. This is where Real Ear Measurements (REMs) come into play, serving as an indispensable tool in the audiologist's toolkit. Other hearing health providers might “fit” your hearing aids and even program them at their office, but without REMs hearing aid wearers are not experiencing the full benefits of their devices. At Audiologic Solutions, we prioritize personalized hearing healthcare services, and REMs are a critical part of ensuring our patients achieve the best possible outcomes with their hearing aids.
What Are Real Ear Measurements (REMs)?
Real Ear Measurements (REMs) are a method used by audiologists to verify that a hearing aid is providing the appropriate amount of amplification tailored to a person's unique ear anatomy and hearing loss. Unlike standard manufacturer settings, which can only offer a generalized solution, REMs ensure that the hearing aid is precisely tuned to deliver the best performance for each individual.
Each person's ear canal is unique in shape, size, and acoustics, which can significantly affect how sound is amplified by the hearing aid. REMs account for these individual differences, making sure that the sound delivered to the eardrum is optimal, leading to better hearing clarity and comfort.
The Importance of REMs in Hearing Aid Fittings
Despite the critical role REMs play in achieving successful hearing aid fittings, it's estimated that less than 25% of hearing care providers use this method regularly. This is often due to the additional time and expertise required to perform these measurements. However, at Audiologic Solutions, we are committed to best practices and take the extra time needed to ensure every hearing aid fitting is optimized through REMs. Performing REMs involves a few precise steps:
- Probe Microphone Placement: A slim silicone probe connected to an external microphone is carefully placed into the ear canal alongside the hearing aid. This probe measures the sound levels inside the ear canal while the hearing aid is in use.
- Test Sound Emission: A loudspeaker, typically placed about 30 cm to 1 meter away from the patient, emits a test sound. This sound is then picked up by the probe microphone, which measures how the sound is amplified by the hearing aid at the eardrum.
- Adjustment and Verification: The audiologist compares the measured sound levels to the prescriptive targets based on the patient's specific hearing loss. If the amplification does not meet these targets, the hearing aid's settings are adjusted accordingly. This process ensures that the hearing aid delivers the correct amount of amplification needed for optimal hearing performance.
Benefits of Using REMs
Utilizing REMs during the hearing aid fitting process offers numerous benefits:
- Improved Speech Understanding: REMs help ensure that the hearing aid provides the correct amplification across different frequencies, which is crucial for understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
- Enhanced Comfort and Natural Sound: Properly calibrated hearing aids using REMs offer a more natural sound experience, reducing the chances of discomfort and feedback.
- Higher Patient Satisfaction: Patients fitted with REMs are more likely to be satisfied with their hearing aids, experiencing better overall performance and less need for frequent adjustments.
- Better Long-Term Outcomes: Studies have shown that patients whose hearing aids are fitted using REMs have higher success rates and maintain satisfaction with their devices over the long term.
Why REMs are Not Widely Used
Despite the clear advantages of Real Ear Measurements, their adoption is not as widespread as it should be. Time constraints and a lack of training are the most common reasons cited by audiologists who do not use REMs. However, at Audiologic Solutions, we believe that taking the time to perform REMs is essential for delivering the highest quality care and achieving the best outcomes for our patients.
Consider one of our patients who had struggled with hearing aids for years, never quite achieving the clarity and comfort they needed. After visiting us at Audiologic Solutions and having their hearing aids fitted using REMs, they experienced a significant improvement in their hearing ability. The precise calibration allowed them to understand speech better and enjoy a more natural sound, dramatically improving their quality of life. Regardless of why REMs aren’t used more regularly as a part of the hearing aid fitting process, Audiologic Solutions relies on this as a critical fitting tool.
Accurate Hearing Aid Fittings at Audiologic Solutions
At Audiologic Solutions, our team of experienced audiologists is dedicated to providing the best possible hearing care. We specialize in the treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus, offering personalized care tailored to meet each patient's unique needs. Our commitment to best practices, such as using Real Ear Measurements, sets us apart and ensures that our patients receive the highest standard of care. With locations in Rensselaer, Hudson, and Queensbury, NY, we are proud to serve the New York area with top-notch audiology services.
If you're experiencing hearing loss and want to ensure your hearing aids are performing at their best, contact Audiologic Solutions to schedule an appointment. Our team of expert audiologists is here to provide you with the personalized care and advanced technology needed to improve your hearing and quality of life. Contact us today and take the first step towards better hearing today.
