Real ear measurements are a critical but often overlooked aspect of hearing aid fitting. Many practices skip this step, with only 30% of hearing care providers routinely performing these measurements. This verification process can make the difference between hearing aids that sit unused in a drawer and ones that provide meaningful improvement in your daily life.
Without performing real ear measurements, fitting hearing aids involves guesswork - similar to getting prescription glasses where the optometrist estimates your prescription rather than measuring it. The success of hearing aids depends greatly on how well they are programmed to meet each person's unique hearing needs. At Glendora Hearing Aids & Audiology, Dr. Kevin Ivory uses Real Ear Measurements (REMs) with every hearing aid fitting - a scientific approach used by less than 30% of hearing care providers nationwide.
Real Ear Measurements are precise measurements taken using a thin probe microphone placed in the ear canal alongside the hearing aid. This process allows us to measure the exact sound levels reaching your eardrum while wearing hearing aids. During the measurement, you listen to various recorded speech samples while we analyze the actual output of your hearing aids in real-time.
Think of getting prescription glasses - you wouldn't want your optometrist to guess at your prescription. Similarly, without Real Ear Measurements, fitting hearing aids involves estimation rather than precise verification. This can lead to hearing aids that don't provide optimal benefit.
Research shows that hearing aid fittings using Real Ear Measurements lead to:
When we perform Real Ear Measurements, we follow a systematic approach:
This verification ensures your hearing aids provide appropriate amplification across all frequencies - not too much where sounds become uncomfortably loud, and not too little where speech remains difficult to understand.
During the measurement, you'll see your results displayed on a screen showing different frequency ranges - from low to high pitched sounds. These measurements create a visual map of your hearing aids' performance compared to your prescription targets. This allows Dr. Ivory to make precise adjustments to match your specific hearing needs, rather than relying on manufacturer presets or estimated settings.
Real ear measurements help ensure you get the most value from your hearing aids. Without this verification, even premium hearing aids may not deliver their full potential benefit. By verifying the output matches your prescription, we can be confident your devices are providing appropriate amplification across all frequencies that are important for speech understanding.
When hearing aids are fit using Real Ear Measurements, you're more likely to experience clear communication in various situations. Whether you're having a one-on-one conversation in a quiet room or trying to follow discussions in a busy restaurant, properly verified hearing aids can make a significant difference.
Many patients who previously struggled with hearing aids despite having them adjusted multiple times find that Real Ear Measurements help resolve their difficulties. This is because the process takes the guesswork out of programming, replacing estimations with precise measurements.
Despite being considered best practice by every professional organization in hearing healthcare, many providers don't perform Real Ear Measurements. Some rely instead on manufacturers' predicted responses based on average ear canal sizes and shapes. However, since every ear canal is unique in size, shape, and acoustic properties, these predictions often fall short of providing optimal amplification.
Real Ear Measurements aren't just for initial fittings. They play a valuable role in ongoing care:
Clinical studies demonstrate the value of Real Ear Measurements. Research shows that hearing aid fittings using REMs result in better outcomes compared to fittings without verification. Patients report improved speech understanding and greater satisfaction with their hearing aids when Real Ear Measurements are part of the fitting process.
As a member of the Dr. Cliff network of audiology practices, we maintain strict adherence to best practices, including the use of Real Ear Measurements for every hearing aid fitting. Dr. Ivory never "guesses" at prescriptions, instead relying on scientific verification to ensure optimal outcomes.
If you currently wear hearing aids that weren't fit using Real Ear Measurements, we can evaluate their performance and make any necessary adjustments. Even if you received your hearing aids elsewhere, Dr. Ivory can perform Real Ear Measurements to optimize their settings for your specific hearing needs.
Contact our office to learn more about how Real Ear Measurements can improve your hearing experience. Whether you're considering new hearing aids or want to optimize your current devices, Dr. Ivory and our team are ready to help you achieve the best possible hearing outcomes through proper verification and fitting. Call (626) 963-7200 to schedule your consultation at our Glendora office.
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Book an appointment with Dr. Kevin Ivory to start hearing better today.
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