Real Ear Verification
At AOO | ENT Specialists of the Rockies, we perform real ear measurement (REM) to ensure that your hearing aids are providing the correct amplification for your hearing loss. Real ear measurement is recommended by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) as the ideal method of validating the performance of hearing aids.
How is Real Ear Measurement Done?
During your real ear measurement, your physician will examine the ear canal to ensure there is no debris in the ear that will interfere with the measurement. A probe tube will then be placed into the ear, and the hearing aid will be put into place. The REM system will produce sound to measure the output in the ear canal and determine the effectiveness of the hearing aid.
The method used during REM is called insertion gain. Insertion gain is the variance between the sound pressure level measured near the eardrum when a hearing aid is in place, and the sound pressure level measured in the unaided ear.
The Importance of Real Ear Measurement
Unfortunately, many hearing aid fitters skip this important step of REM. It is meant to measure the performance of a hearing instrument while in the patient’s ear. This step is vital because it is used as a reference for the calculation of real-ear insertion gain (REIG). It can also indicate any abnormalities in the ear canal or middle ear.
If you need hearing aids, you can trust us to provide comprehensive, in-depth care and the most effective treatment available. Contact our Denver office today to schedule a consultation to take your first steps towards clearer hearing.
Associates of Otolaryngology, or, AOO | ENT Specialists of the Rockies has been serving multiple generations of families across the Denver Metro area since 1969. Our group of board-certified surgeons has been providing award-winning treatment and exceeding patients’ expectations with our specialized ENT services for over fifty-five years.
Thanks to our exceptional providers, we are an all-encompassing, comprehensive ENT practice. Our expert team of specialists includes general ENT surgeons, head and neck surgeons, sleep, sinus, and allergy specialists, and facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons. In addition, our team of providers is supported by doctoral-level audiologists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.