Real Ear Measures - Yesterday & Today-Real Ear Measures

Real Ear Measures - Yesterday & Today Slides

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This document is a presentation titled "Real Ear Measures: Yesterday & Today" given by Ted Venema. The presentation discusses the use of real ear measures (REM) in the fitting of hearing aids. The speaker emphasizes the importance of objective measurements in verifying the performance of hearing aids, as opposed to relying solely on subjective reports from the client.<br /><br />The presentation explains the differences between old and new methods of REM. Before, clinicians would use functional gain and insertion gain measures to assess the amplification provided by the hearing aids. Today, in situ output measures are used, which involve mapping soft, average, and loud speech into the remaining dynamic range.<br /><br />The speaker addresses common objections to using REM, such as cost and perceived usefulness. They also discuss the calibration and placement of probe tubes for accurate measurements. The presentation introduces the concept of real ear unaided response (REUR) and real ear aided response (REAR), which are used to measure the effectiveness of the hearing aids.<br /><br />The presentation also discusses the importance of considering the long-term average speech spectrum (LTASS) and the impact of noise reduction on hearing aid performance. The speaker highlights the fact that manufacturer software predictions may not always match the real ear measurements, emphasizing the need for objective verification.<br /><br />Overall, the presentation emphasizes the significance of using REM to objectively assess the performance of hearing aids and ensure that they meet the individual needs and preferences of the client. The speaker encourages clinicians to integrate REM into their practice and offers resources for obtaining continuing education credits.

Keywords

Real Ear Measures

Ted Venema

hearing aids

objective measurements

subjective reports

in situ output measures

probe tubes

LTASS

noise reduction

objective verification