When you invest in hearing aids, you deserve technology that's precisely calibrated to your unique hearing needs. At La Cañada Hearing Aids & Audiology, we use Real Ear Measurements (REM) as the gold standard for ensuring your hearing aids deliver optimal performance from day one. This simple, painless verification process takes the guesswork out of hearing aid programming and guarantees you're receiving the exact amplification your ears require.
What Are Real Ear Measurements?
Real Ear Measurements represent a scientific approach to hearing aid verification. Rather than relying on manufacturer estimates or subjective feedback alone, REM provides objective data about how sound is being delivered inside your ear canal. This precision matters because every ear is different—your ear canal's size, shape, and resonance characteristics directly affect how sound reaches your eardrum.
The process involves placing a thin probe microphone in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid. This probe measures the actual sound levels you're receiving across different frequencies while you listen to recorded speech samples. Dr. Ivory can then compare these measurements against research-based amplification targets calculated specifically for your hearing loss, making real-time adjustments to match your prescription exactly.
Without REM, hearing aid programming becomes an approximation based on average ear canal measurements. This approach works for some people, but many others end up with devices that are either too loud (causing discomfort and rejection) or too quiet (providing insufficient benefit). At La Cañada Hearing Aids & Audiology, we believe you deserve better than guesswork when it comes to your hearing health.
Why REM Matters for Your Success
Research consistently demonstrates that hearing aid fittings using Real Ear Measurements result in superior outcomes compared to fittings without verification. Patients who receive REM-verified fittings report higher satisfaction, better speech understanding in both quiet and noisy environments, and greater long-term usage of their hearing aids.
Dr. Ivory is among fewer than 30% of hearing care providers who routinely perform Real Ear Measurements. This commitment to evidence-based care reflects our dedication to providing you with hearing aids that actually work as intended. When your devices are properly verified, you experience the full benefit of modern hearing aid technology rather than settling for a rough approximation of what you should be hearing.
The difference between a properly verified fitting and an unverified one can be substantial. Some patients may receive too much amplification in certain frequencies, leading to an overwhelming or tinny sound quality. Others may not receive enough amplification where they need it most, leaving them struggling to understand speech even with their hearing aids in place. REM eliminates these problems by ensuring your amplification prescription is accurate across all frequencies.
What to Expect During Your REM Appointment
The Real Ear Measurement process is straightforward and completely painless. You won't feel any discomfort during the procedure, and the entire verification typically takes about 15-20 minutes as part of your overall hearing aid fitting appointment.
First, Dr. Ivory will place a thin, flexible probe tube in your ear canal. This tube is extremely small and soft—most patients barely notice it's there. The probe sits comfortably in your ear alongside your hearing aid and contains a tiny microphone at its tip. This microphone will measure the actual sound levels reaching your eardrum while your hearing aid operates.
Once the probe is positioned, you'll simply sit comfortably while recorded speech samples play through your hearing aids. These samples represent typical conversational speech at various volume levels. You don't need to respond or indicate when you hear sounds—the probe microphone does all the work by measuring the sound pressure levels in your ear canal automatically.
As the test runs, you'll see real-time results displayed on a computer screen. Dr. Ivory can show you exactly what's happening: colored lines on the screen represent the sound levels you're receiving, while target lines show where the amplification should be according to your specific hearing loss prescription. This visual representation helps you understand how well your hearing aids are performing.
If any adjustments are needed, Dr. Ivory makes them immediately and then re-tests to verify the changes. This process continues until your hearing aids match the evidence-based amplification targets across all frequencies. You'll leave your appointment knowing with certainty that your devices are programmed precisely for your ears.
The Technology Behind REM Testing
The equipment used for Real Ear Measurements is sophisticated yet user-friendly. The probe microphone system measures sound in decibels across the speech frequency range, typically from 250 Hz to 6000 Hz or higher. These frequencies encompass the sounds most critical for understanding speech, including consonants and vowels that give language its meaning.
Different types of measurements can be performed during REM testing. The most common is Real Ear Aided Response (REAR), which measures the sound levels in your ear canal with your hearing aids turned on and processing sound. This measurement is compared to prescriptive targets based on validated fitting formulas like NAL-NL2 or DSL, which calculate optimal amplification based on your audiogram.
Another useful measurement is Real Ear Unaided Response (REUR), which captures your ear canal's natural resonance without hearing aids. This baseline helps Dr. Ivory understand how your ear naturally amplifies sound before any device is introduced. The system can also measure Real Ear Occluded Response (REOR), showing how much your ear canal's natural resonance is blocked when a hearing aid or earmold is inserted.
Advanced REM systems also support speech mapping, where you can see and hear how your hearing aids process real speech in real-time. Dr. Ivory uses this feature to demonstrate the difference between unaided and aided hearing, helping you appreciate the improvement your hearing aids provide.
Common Questions About the REM Process
Many patients wonder if Real Ear Measurements are necessary if they already have an audiogram. The answer is yes—your audiogram shows how much hearing loss you have, but it doesn't tell us exactly how much amplification is reaching your eardrum when you wear hearing aids. REM bridges this gap by verifying that the amplification prescribed based on your audiogram is actually being delivered correctly.
Some people ask if REM needs to be repeated at future appointments. Generally, if your hearing remains stable and you're satisfied with your hearing aids, repeat measurements aren't required at every visit. However, if your hearing changes, if you get new hearing aids, or if you're experiencing difficulties with your current devices, Dr. Ivory will perform new Real Ear Measurements to ensure your programming remains optimal.
Parents often inquire about REM for children. The process works just as well for younger patients, though it may require extra patience and cooperation. The probe tube is safe and comfortable for children, and the verification ensures they receive appropriate amplification during critical developmental years.
The ListeningBrain® Difference
At La Cañada Hearing Aids & Audiology, Real Ear Measurements are just one component of Dr. Ivory's comprehensive ListeningBrain® treatment program. While REM ensures your hearing aids are programmed correctly from the start, the ListeningBrain® approach recognizes that successful hearing treatment involves more than just proper amplification.
After verifying your hearing aids with REM, Dr. Ivory implements a gradual acclimatization process that allows your brain to adjust comfortably to improved hearing. This brain retraining approach, combined with the precision of Real Ear Measurements, leads to success rates exceeding 98% among our patients.
Experience Evidence-Based Hearing Care
If you've been fit with hearing aids elsewhere and are unsatisfied with the results, Dr. Ivory can perform Real Ear Measurements on your current devices to determine if they're programmed optimally. This objective assessment often reveals programming issues that can be corrected, potentially saving you from unnecessary device upgrades.
For those beginning their hearing treatment journey, starting with REM-verified hearing aids sets you up for success from the very first day. You'll experience the full capability of modern hearing technology, properly calibrated to your individual needs.
Ready to experience the difference that evidence-based care makes? Contact La Cañada Hearing Aids & Audiology at (818) 928-1400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ivory. Our office is located at 1434 Foothill Blvd., Unit C, in La Cañada Flintridge, and we're open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Let us show you what properly verified hearing aids can do for your communication and quality of life.
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