What Are Real-Ear Measures and Why Are They Important?

Real-ear measures (REM), also called speech mapping, are a gold-standard in hearing aid fitting. This test is a verification method that is used to ensure that your hearing aids are programmed for your individual needs. 

During real-ear testing, a small microphone is placed in the ear canal along with the hearing device. The microphone tells the audiologist a precise measurement of the amount of amplification the hearing device is providing while listening to speech samples at various volumes. These measurements allow us to make educated adjustments to make sure soft sounds can be heard, average sounds are comfortable, and loud sounds aren’t too loud. With these measurements, you are able to get the maximum benefit out of your hearing devices. 

Though studies suggest that only 30 to 40 percent of audiologists conduct real-ear measurements, Alexandria Hearing Centers, Massa and Associates completes real-ear measurements routinely at both of our Alexandria locations! 

Call us today to schedule a free hearing aid consultation and demonstration of the latest hearing aid technology.