Real Ear Measurement: Should It be Mandatory? (Q4 2021) (TX-143-24-011)-Real Ear Measurement: Should It be Mandatory? (Q4 2021)

Real Ear Measurement: Should It be Mandatory? (Q4 2021) - Article

Pdf Summary

The article discusses the importance of Real Ear Measurement (REM) in verifying hearing aid fittings. It emphasizes the need for clinicians to conduct REM to objectively assess the performance of hearing aids in the client's ear, rather than blindly relying on manufacturer's fitting software. The article explains that REM is a vital component of quality assurance in hearing aid offices.<br /><br />The article also provides a brief history of REM and how it has evolved over time. It explains that early linear-based fitting methods were verified using functional gain measures, where aided thresholds were compared to unaided thresholds. However, modern REM has shifted to in situ output measurement, which looks at the sum total of input signal and hearing aid gain.<br /><br />The article highlights the benefits of using today's REM, such as the ability to visually display output targets for soft, average, and loud input speech on an SPL-o-gram. It explains that this display allows clinicians to ensure that aided outputs are well situated within the client's reduced dynamic range. The article argues that speech mapping in today's REM provides a valuable counseling tool as it allows clients to see the audibility of unaided versus aided speech.<br /><br />The article also addresses common objections to performing REM, such as cost, competition, and reliance on manufacturer's software. It emphasizes that REM is a clinical best practice and provides better quality assurance in hearing healthcare.<br /><br />Overall, the article emphasizes the significance of REM in improving the performance of hearing aids and achieving excellence in hearing healthcare.

Keywords

Real Ear Measurement

Hearing aid fittings

Objective assessment

Manufacturer's fitting software

Quality assurance

Linear-based fitting methods

Functional gain measures

In situ output measurement

Speech mapping

Hearing healthcare