Why Real Ear Measurements Matter When Fitting Your Hearing Aids

There is a lot that goes into ensuring that your new hearing aids are both comfortable and functional. Not only do you need to pick a device that delivers the necessary hearing amplification, but it’s important to make sure that your hearing aids are comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. Our team is here to help with the optimal selection and fine-tuning that gives you the best results possible.

We use Real Ear Measurements (REMs) to give you a truly customized fit for your hearing aids. There’s a big difference in the way that your hearing aids feel when you have an exact fit vs wearing generic devices. Our goal is twofold: ensuring that your hearing aids are comfortable enough to wear all day long, while actually helping you hear better at the same time.

What You Need to Know About Real Ear Measurements (REMs)

There are many ways that modern technology has improved the overall experience for patients wearing hearing aids. Real Ear Measurements (REMs) allow our audiologist to measure the way the hearing aid is performing inside your ear canal. This testing is necessary because the reality is that the shape of your ear canal has an undeniable impact on how the sound travels through the canal.

When REM testing is done, your audiologist will have you wear the hearing aid; then, the measurement is taken while the device is on. A tiny microphone is also placed in your ear to test the real-time sound levels that are coming through.

The purpose of this testing is to make sure that the noise amplification that you are receiving aligns with the amount of support that you need. This fine-tuning makes a big difference in your overall experience when you are wearing your hearing aids going forward.

The Problem With No-REM Hearing Aids

Even though there are plenty of hearing aids that come pre-programmed, it doesn’t mean that they will perform optimally for your ears. The thing that you need to understand is that these pre-programmed hearing devices are designed to fit average ear shapes and typical hearing loss patterns. But the truth is that every patient is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to hearing treatments.

If you don’t have REMs testing, then it’s possible that the sound you are receiving is too loud or too soft. Or you might be experiencing some type of imbalance in the way the sound is coming through. If there are any issues with the sounds, then it might feel like the hearing aid isn’t working properly.

For example, these issues can cause you to “hear” the sound, but you will be unable to decipher the speech. Just because you can hear someone talking doesn’t mean that the clarity of the words will come through. These issues become even bigger problems if you are in a noisy environment, making it harder and harder to understand what other people are saying around you.

So, the real benefit of using REM testing and ditching the generic hearing aids is that you get clear sound amplification that can be understood. We want to do more than simply increase the volume – the quality of sound is also an essential factor.

What to Expect During Real Ear Testing

Rest assured knowing that this test is simple and painless. The first step is for the audiologist to place a small probe mic into your ear while you are wearing the hearing aid. This tiny mic is made of a thin, flexible tube.

Next, different types of test sounds are played through a speaker. For example, your audiologist might test different types of tones or speech. The probe mic will pick up on the sounds and provide insights about how the sounds are behaving in your ear canal. During the test, the audiologist will be looking at a digital screen that indicates whether the prescribed amplification targets are being hit.

If the REM testing shows that the goal amplification is not in alignment with your prescription, then adjustments can be made. We continue fine-tuning the hearing aids to optimize the performance based on your unique needs.

This overall process only takes about 15 minutes, but it can make a noticeable difference in the performance of your hearing aids. Many patients tell us that they can tell a night-and-day difference before and after REM testing and fine-tuning.

How REMs Compare to Other Types of Tests

When you come to our clinic for traditional hearing tests, we use this information to determine the amount of hearing that you have lost. But just because we know how much amplification you need, additional REM testing is necessary so that we can see how a hearing aid is actually working within your ear.

We love using REMs because this data gives us real-world performance, rather than theoretical strategies about how to address your hearing loss. The testing considers a full range of factors that can impact the performance of your hearing aids, including acoustics, ear canal resonance, and the way your brain is interpreting the frequencies.

Protect Your Brain and Hearing

REM testing matters for two reasons:

• Protect Your Current Hearing: If the hearing aids settings are over-amplifying, then it could cause damage to your residual hearing and even lead to a progression of your hearing loss. So, we want to make sure that you are getting the optimal amount of amplification without going overboard.
• Preserve Your Mental Capacity: On the other hand, under-amplification can cause fatigue because it strains your brain. When you are always having a hard time hearing what is happening around you, then it can take a toll on your social interactions. We are looking for the sweet spot to increase amplification to the point where you are comfortable, while also reducing the risk of mental fatigue.

Hearing Aids That Work for Your Lifestyle

Your hearing aids are only going to perform well if they are fitted properly and fine-tuned for your needs. REM testing is the gold standard for ensuring optimal performance, which is why we use it here at Fairfax Hearing Center. For more information, contact us online or call our office at 703.343.9732 to schedule a consultation and hearing test.