Did you know that your ears are as unique as your fingerprints? That’s why when you get hearing aids, they need to be adjusted so they’re perfect for your ears. One test that helps us adjust your hearing aids is called Real Ear Measurements (REM). If you think you might need hearing aids, here’s what you should know about REM testing.
What Are Real Ear Measurements?
Real Ear Measurements are used during a special fitting session for your hearing aids. REM is how we can make sure your hearing aids are comfortable for your ears and working the way they should. It helps us perfectly adjust your devices so they help you hear all the sounds you need to hear, without feedback or distortion.
Why Are Real Ear Measurements Important?
1. They Make Sounds Just Right for You
Just like everyone has different voices, everyone hears a bit differently too. REM is a way for your hearing health specialist to tune your hearing aids so that they help you hear all the sounds around you, including whispers, music, and even the birds chirping. This test lets us adjust your devices so you hear clearly.
2. Better Talking and Listening
When your hearing aids fit just right, it’s easier to talk to your friends and family, even when it’s noisy. Whether you’re at a BBQ or a birthday party, properly adjusted hearing aids make hearing easy. That means more fun and less straining to hear.
3. Comfortable in Your Ears
When your hearing aids feel good, you’ll want to wear them all the time, which means you won’t miss out on any sounds or conversations. REM helps make sure they’re so comfortable that you might even forget you’re wearing them!
4. Check to Make Sure Everything’s Okay
Just like when you go to the doctor for a check-up, REM is the check-up that makes sure your hearing aids are doing their job. If they’re not, we’ll adjust them so they’re working perfectly.
What Happens During a Real Ear Measurement Test?
Real Ear Measurement (REM) tests are the gold standard in personalized hearing aid fitting, providing precise and tailored outcomes for users. Here’s how it works:
- Getting Ready: We use a specialized probe microphone and sound equipment to measure how effectively a hearing aid amplifies sound within your ear canal. We’ll place a tiny microphone in your ear but don’t worry. It’s very small and completely painless.
- Test Time: Next, you’ll wear your hearing aid like you always do, and we will play a series of sounds at different volumes and pitches. With the microphone, we can measure how sound travels through the ear canal, how it is affected by the shape of the ear, and most importantly, how well the hearing aid amplifies sounds to meet your specific hearing needs.
- Making Adjustments: The test lets us see, in real time, how your hearing aid performs in your unique ear. We’ll make adjustments as needed to give you a perfect fit.
REM testing means all adjustments to your hearing aid can be made based on accurate, individualized data, leading to a more customized fit. By analyzing how various sounds are amplified, we can adjust the settings to give you the best possible hearing experience.
Who Should Get Real Ear Measurements?
If you’re getting hearing aids for the first time, you’ll want to do REM testing and adjustments. And if you have hearing aids but things don’t sound quite right, you might need a little tune-up. Real Ear Measurements can be a game-changer for how you hear.
Ready to Hear Everything? Let’s Check Your Ears!
If you’ve been thinking about your hearing health, and noticing that you’re missing sounds, it’s time to check your hearing. Visit us for a hearing test to get started. Together we’ll find out more about your unique hearing needs and help you choose the perfect hearing aids. We use REM during the fitting process to make sure your hearing aids are helping you hear all the sounds around you.
If you’ve been wearing hearing aids for several months or years, it’s also a good idea to get a check-up and do REM testing. We can adjust your devices to match any changes in your hearing, and help you hear clearly.