Why Los Gatos Residents Should Ask for Real Ear Measurements

When it comes to hearing aid fittings, not all audiology practices deliver the same level of precision and care. At Silicon Valley Hearing in Los Gatos, we believe that Real Ear Measurements (REM) represent the gold standard for hearing aid verification – a step that many practices skip. Understanding what REM involves and why it matters can make the difference between hearing aids that work well for your lifestyle and those that disappoint.

What Are Real Ear Measurements?

Real Ear Measurements involve placing a thin, flexible probe microphone into your ear canal during the hearing aid fitting process. This microphone measures the actual sound levels reaching your eardrum when wearing your hearing aids. The process allows us to verify that your devices provide the correct amount of amplification across all frequencies, tailored specifically to your hearing loss and ear canal acoustics.

Every ear canal differs in width, length, and shape. These variations affect how sound travels and resonates within your ear. Without REM, audiologists must rely on manufacturer default settings and general fitting formulas, which assume average ear canal dimensions. This approach often falls short of providing the hearing improvement you expect.

The Science Behind Precision Fitting

Your ear canal acts like a natural amplifier with its own acoustic properties. When we perform Real Ear Measurements, we observe exactly how your individual ear canal modifies sound. The probe microphone captures data about soft speech, moderate speech, and loud speech levels, allowing us to fine-tune your hearing aids accurately.

This process considers not just your hearing loss pattern, but also how your specific ear anatomy affects sound transmission. The result is a personalized fitting that makes speech sounds audible while preventing loud sounds from becoming uncomfortable. We verify that your hearing aids perform properly in your ears, not just according to manufacturer specifications.

Why Many Practices Skip This Step

Despite being considered best practice by audiological organizations worldwide, many hearing aid dispensers skip Real Ear Measurements. Several factors contribute to this trend. Time constraints often play a role – REM requires additional appointment time and careful attention. Some practitioners lack proper equipment or training to perform these measurements effectively.

Cost considerations also influence decisions. REM equipment represents a significant investment, and the time required can reduce daily patient volume. Some practices prioritize quantity over quality, viewing REM as optional rather than necessary.

Patients who don't understand REM's importance may not request it, allowing practices to take shortcuts. This creates a cycle where suboptimal fittings become normalized, and patients accept poor hearing aid performance as typical.

The Consequences of Skipping REM

When audiologists rely solely on manufacturer default settings, several problems arise. Hearing aids may be under-amplified, meaning you don't receive sufficient benefit, particularly for soft speech. Conversely, over-amplification can make sounds uncomfortable, leading to device rejection.

Frequency-specific issues often emerge without REM verification. Your hearing aids might work well for some sounds while missing others. Speech clarity problems persist, particularly in challenging environments where precise amplification becomes most important.

Many patients fitted without REM report ongoing difficulties with speech understanding, especially in noisy environments. They may experience feedback, discomfort with loud sounds, or feel their hearing aids aren't providing expected benefits. These issues often lead to unused hearing aids and frustrated patients who conclude hearing aids don't work.

How REM Transforms Your Hearing Experience

When we perform Real Ear Measurements during your fitting, you'll often notice improved speech clarity immediately as we fine-tune your devices. The process allows us to optimize settings for different situations, providing comfortable amplification for soft sounds while maintaining clarity for normal conversation.

REM lets us address frequency-specific hearing loss patterns precisely. If you struggle hearing high-frequency consonant sounds, we can verify your hearing aids provide adequate amplification in those ranges. For patients with loudness recruitment – where sounds become uncomfortable quickly – REM helps us set appropriate maximum levels.

The verification process allows real-time adjustments while you're wearing the devices. We can demonstrate how changes affect sound reaching your eardrum, helping you understand why adjustments are necessary.

Advanced REM Techniques

Modern Real Ear Measurement systems allow sophisticated verification beyond basic measurements. We can perform speech mapping, which shows how your hearing aids process actual speech signals in real-time, revealing how well your devices preserve important speech cues.

Loudness scaling during REM helps guarantee loud sounds remain comfortable while maintaining audibility for soft sounds. We can verify your hearing aids provide appropriate dynamic range – the difference between the softest sounds you can hear and the loudest you can comfortably tolerate.

For patients with tinnitus, REM allows us to verify that hearing aid settings provide adequate stimulation to potentially reduce tinnitus awareness while maintaining optimal speech understanding.

What to Expect During Your REM Session

During your hearing aid fitting appointment, we'll place the thin probe microphone comfortably in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid. The measurement process typically takes 20-30 minutes and involves listening to various sounds while we capture acoustic data. You'll hear the difference as we make adjustments and can provide immediate feedback about your comfort and clarity preferences.

We'll test multiple scenarios – soft speech, normal conversation, and loud environmental sounds. This comprehensive approach confirms your hearing aids perform optimally across the full range of daily listening situations. The visual feedback from REM equipment lets us show you exactly how your hearing aids are working.

Making an Informed Choice

As consumers become more educated about hearing healthcare, demanding Real Ear Measurements represents an important step toward better outcomes. When researching audiology practices, ask specifically whether they perform REM as standard protocol. Practices that prioritize verification demonstrate commitment to evidence-based care and patient satisfaction.

The investment in proper fitting pays off through improved hearing aid success, fewer adjustment appointments, and greater satisfaction with your devices. Rather than accepting hearing aids fitted with generic settings, you deserve the precision that individualized verification provides.

Experience the REM Difference at Silicon Valley Hearing

At our Los Gatos practice, Real Ear Measurements aren't optional – they're part of every hearing aid fitting. Dr. Marni Novick's commitment to best practices means your hearing aids are precisely programmed for your unique hearing needs and ear canal acoustics. We combine advanced hearing aid technology with proper verification techniques to provide the foundation for successful hearing rehabilitation.

Don't settle for hearing aids fitted with guesswork and manufacturer defaults. Contact Silicon Valley Hearing today to schedule your comprehensive hearing evaluation and experience the difference that professional Real Ear Measurements make in your hearing aid success. Your journey to better hearing deserves the precision and care that only proper verification can provide.