Real Ear Measurement (REM) is the gold standard for verifying hearing aid performance. This scientific process ensures your hearing aids provide the exact amplification prescribed for your unique hearing loss.

At Professional Hearing Services, we use REM testing for every hearing aid fitting. This process involves placing a tiny microphone in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid, letting us measure the actual sound levels reaching your eardrum. By comparing these measurements to your prescription targets, we can make precise adjustments to optimize your hearing aids' performance.

Our REM testing helps us confirm your hearing aids are providing appropriate amplification across all frequencies. This verification gives you confidence that your devices are programmed optimally for your unique hearing needs, leading to better hearing outcomes and higher satisfaction with your hearing aids.

Understanding How Your Ears Are Unique

Your ear canals are as unique as your fingerprints. Just like a custom-tailored suit fits better than one off the rack, hearing aids work best when they're precisely adjusted for your ears. That's where Real Ear Measurement makes all the difference.

Many practices skip this step and simply program hearing aids based on averages. But would you want your prescription glasses based on someone else's eyes? Of course not. The same applies to hearing aids - they need to be customized specifically for your ears.

Our Precise Measurement Process

During your fitting, we use a tiny microphone smaller than a grain of rice to measure exactly how sound travels through your ear canal. By placing this microphone next to your hearing aid, we can see in real-time exactly what sounds are reaching your eardrum.

We test your hearing aids in three key ways:

• First, we measure how your natural ear canal shapes sound
• Then we check how the hearing aid changes those sound patterns when it's in your ear but turned off
• Finally, we measure everything with the hearing aid turned on and working

This step-by-step process lets us adjust your hearing aids with pinpoint accuracy. We can immediately see if any frequencies need fine-tuning and make those adjustments on the spot. Many of our patients tell us they can hear sounds they haven't heard in years after we complete this process.

Instead of guessing whether your hearing aids are working correctly, we use real data to verify their performance. Think of it like tuning a piano - each string needs to be at exactly the right pitch for the music to sound its best. Similarly, your hearing aids need precise tuning to help you hear your best.

Why Precise Measurements Make Such a Big Difference

Think about buying shoes - would you want a pair based on the "average" foot size? Of course not. The same goes for hearing aids. Factory settings are created using averages from thousands of ears, but your ears are unique to you.

Many people don't realize that two people with identical hearing tests can need completely different hearing aid settings because of how their ear canals shape sound. That's why we take the extra step of measuring exactly how sound travels through your specific ear canals.

When we use Real Ear Measurement to verify your hearing aid settings, our patients notice significant improvements in their daily lives:

You'll hear speech more clearly in different situations - whether you're in a quiet room or a busy restaurant Sounds will feel more natural and balanced, not artificial or tinny Your hearing aids will amplify the right sounds at the right levels You'll spend less time coming back for adjustments Most importantly, you'll feel more confident in your hearing abilities

We often see patients who struggled with hearing aids from other providers simply because their devices weren't properly measured and verified. Once we apply Real Ear Measurement, many tell us they're hearing better than they have in years.

Modern Hearing Aid Technology and REM

Today's advanced hearing aids like the Widex Moment SmartRIC, Starkey Edge AI, and Signia Pure Charge&Go IX offer sophisticated features that benefit from precise REM verification. The Widex Moment SmartRIC, for example, uses PureSound technology with ZeroDelay processing to deliver natural sound quality. REM helps ensure these advanced features work optimally for your specific hearing needs.

For the Widex Moment SmartRIC, REM verification is particularly valuable in optimizing its directional microphone system. The unique L-shaped design positions the microphones for improved performance in noise, and REM helps verify this advantage is properly calibrated for each user.

The Role of REM in Ongoing Care

REM isn't just for initial fittings - it's valuable throughout your hearing aid journey. We recommend periodic REM testing to ensure your hearing aids continue performing optimally. This is especially important if:

• Your hearing changes over time
• You experience sound quality issues
• You receive hearing aid repairs or updates
• You switch to new hearing aids

Real-World Benefits

When hearing aids are properly verified through REM, users often report:

• Clearer conversations in noisy environments
• More comfortable listening experiences
• Better music appreciation
• Reduced listening fatigue
• Greater confidence in social situations

Our Mobile Audiology Advantage

At Professional Hearing Services, we bring REM testing directly to you through our mobile audiology service. Our portable REM equipment meets all professional standards, allowing us to provide precise verification in the comfort of your home or residence. This convenient service ensures you receive the same high-quality care as in our office.

What Makes Our REM Process Different

Our approach to REM goes beyond basic verification. We test your hearing aids in multiple listening programs and with various types of sounds, including:

• Soft speech for improved awareness of quiet sounds
• Conversational speech for everyday communication
• Louder sounds for comfort and safety
• Background noise to verify noise reduction features

For devices like the Starkey Edge AI, which uses artificial intelligence to process sound, REM helps ensure the AI features are properly calibrated to your hearing needs.

Insurance and REM Testing

Many insurance plans cover REM testing as part of a comprehensive hearing aid fitting. We believe this crucial step shouldn't be skipped, as it directly impacts your satisfaction with hearing aids. Our team can help you understand your insurance coverage for REM testing.

Professional Expertise Matters

Our audiologists have extensive training in REM procedures and interpretation. We combine this technical expertise with a deep understanding of hearing aid technology to optimize your hearing experience.

Schedule Your REM Verification

Whether you're getting new hearing aids or want to verify the performance of your current devices, REM testing can help optimize your hearing experience. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced audiologists, either at our Lakewood office or through our mobile audiology service. We'll ensure your hearing aids are working exactly as they should, helping you hear your best in all situations.