Real Ear Measurement

The approach to fitting hearing aids should be as unique as every ear. The hearing care professionals at Victory Hearing and Balance in West Lake Hills, Texas, understand this all too well. Led by Dr. Jill Davis, this top-rated audiology clinic leverages evidence-based techniques like Real Ear Measurements (REM) to optimize the functionality of hearing aids, ensuring each device is tailored to the user's specific needs. At Victory Hearing and Balance, we are proud to offer this service as part of our commitment to providing top-notch audiology care in the Austin area.

Real Ear Measurements

Real Ear Measurements, also known as probe microphone measurements or speech mapping, are a method of verifying that the settings of your hearing aid are correctly amplifying sounds. This process does not merely rely on the user's subjective perception of sound; rather, it provides an objective assessment of the sound levels received by the ear. In essence, a Real Ear Measurement is a test that validates the performance of your hearing aid in your ear. The aim is to ensure that both soft and loud noises are accurately amplified. This is achieved by introducing a probe tube into the ear canal, which measures the volume of your hearing aid across a spectrum of frequencies.

Why REMs Matter

The significance of Real Ear Measurements cannot be overstated. They allow audiologists to account for the unique characteristics of each patient's ear, including the size and shape of the ear canal. This ensures that the hearing aid is not only functioning, but is also amplifying sounds in a manner that is suited to the user's auditory requirements. In fact, research suggests that patients prefer the settings of hearing aids that have been programmed using Real Ear Measurements. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) both endorse this practice as a best standard in the field.

REMs - The Procedure

Executing Real Ear Measurements is a meticulous process that involves several steps:

Step 1: The audiologist will inspect the patient's ears to ensure there is no excess earwax or debris that could potentially interfere with the accuracy of the measurements.

Step 2: The probe tube is then inserted into the ear canal, positioned approximately six millimeters from the eardrum.

Step 3: With the probe tube properly placed, the audiologist will next fit the hearing aid into the patient's ear.

Step 4: A sound is played, and the audiologist measures the hearing aid's capacity to amplify soft, average, and loud speech at the eardrum. These measurements are taken across the frequency spectrum.

Step 5: The audiologist will make necessary adjustments to the hearing aid settings based on the measurements taken.

Step 6: Finally, the patient is asked to provide feedback on their auditory experience, allowing the audiologist to make further adjustments if necessary.

This comprehensive process typically takes around 10 minutes per ear, although it may take longer if several adjustments are required.

Real Ear Measurement in Austin

The use of Real Ear Measurements is a vital part of optimizing the functionality of hearing aids. They provide a broader verification that the hearing aid is functioning properly in the patient's ear. By taking measurements, we can personalize the fit of the hearing aids, catering specifically to the patient's unique auditory needs. This technique is especially beneficial for individuals with more difficult hearing losses.

At Victory Hearing and Balance, we prioritize the use of Real Ear Measurements in each of our hearing aid fittings. We believe that this practice is not only a benchmark of best practices, but is also in the best interest of our patients. Dr. Jill Davis and her team are committed to ensuring that you get the most out of your hearing aids.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with our team if you're interested in scheduling an appointment.