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Hearing aids can be life changing for those with hearing loss, however the devices themselves are just one part of a successful hearing healthcare experience. Helping someone to hear their very best requires a thorough process that verifies that the programming is right for them. At Glendora Hearing Aids & Audiology, we follow best practices in our Audiological care, ensuring that our patients get a more reliable experience and are more likely to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Here are some of the ways that we create a better outcome for our patients:

Real Ear Measurement

It has been said before in business that you can't manage what you don't measure. The same can be said for hearing care. Each patient has different ear canal anatomy (width, distance and shape), which results in varying frequency responses at the tympanic membrane (eardrum). That is why two people with the same hearing loss and hearing aids could potentially have vastly different experiences.

Real Ear Measurement (also called REM or Live Speech Mapping) is a way of measuring the sound output at or near the eardrum. For this procedure, a thin tube that is attached to a microphone is inserted into the ear canal. Then the hearing aid is placed in the ear canal, alongside the tube. Sounds are played from a short distance and measured outside of the ear and at the eardrum.

Real Ear Measurements give me better information on how to program the hearing aids for each individual. They have made a big difference for my patients and that is why I use them in my practice. For more on Real Ear Measurements, watch this video below.

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Speech in Noise Testing

Most of my patients have difficult hearing in noisy environments. So it makes sense that we would test their ability to hear and understand speech in the presence of noise. Every brain processes sound differently and therefore has different needs when it comes to amplification and the personalization of sound.

Testing how one hears in speech gives Audiologists a better understanding of how that person processes sound. It gives us a chance to create better expectations and select the right hearing aids and accessories for each individual. In addition to testing before fitting hearing aids, we also test speech in noise with hearing aids (called aided speech in noise testing) to verify that the devices are providing the expected response in that setting.

Electro Acoustic Analysis

Electro Acoustic Analyses, also known as HIT Box Testing or Test Box Measures, provide a standardized way to test the hearing aids after they have been shipped from the factory. This testing ensures that the hearing instruments are working to manufacturer specifications. While most hearing aids shipped from the factory are in perfect working order, we do occasionally find some that are not working correctly. We prefer to do the extra work and find these issues before we have spent weeks with the device. The Electro Acoustic Analysis gives me confidence that we can proceed with the treatment without wasting our time on a malfunctioning device.

The DrCliffAud Network

Many consumers have come across Dr. Cliff Olson's videos on YouTube. Under the channel DrCliffAud, he has reviewed hearing aids and discussed common issues related to hearing loss and amplification. In addition, Dr. Cliff has been a strong advocate for best practices in Audiology and hearing care. He has published a checklist for patients, so they can verify themselves that they are getting the best possible care.

We are proud to be the Audiology center in Glendora that Dr. Cliff recommends. He does so because we follow these protocols and give our patients the best possible chance of a successful outcome. You can learn more about our inclusion in the Dr. Cliff Network here.

And if you're still not convinced, please check out our reviews and testimonials from patients.

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