Real Ear Measurement

Precise verification ensuring your hearing aids perform optimally for your unique hearing profile.

Why Real Ear Measurement Matters for Your Hearing Aids

When hearing aids are programmed, the settings are typically based on a mathematical formula derived from your audiogram. But every ear canal is shaped differently, and those individual differences affect how much sound actually reaches your eardrum. Real Ear Measurement (REM) is a verification method that uses a small probe microphone placed in the ear canal to objectively measure how much sound your hearing aids are delivering in your ear.

At Desert Valley Audiology, we perform Real Ear Measurement as a standard part of every hearing aid fitting to make sure your devices are meeting the prescriptive targets for your specific hearing loss.

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Benefits of Real Ear Measurement at Every Fitting

Real Ear Measurement takes all the guesswork out of hearing aid programming, giving you and your audiologist objective evidence that your devices are correctly calibrated for your specific hearing loss and the anatomy of your ear.

Objective verification confirms hearing aids match your individual prescription targets

Real-time adjustments made during the appointment for immediate, accurate results

Reduces the risk of under- or over-amplification that leads to poor hearing aid outcomes

Included as a standard part of every fitting — no additional appointment or cost required

What exactly does Real Ear Measurement measure?

Real Ear Measurement uses a small probe microphone placed in the ear canal alongside your hearing aid to measure sound levels at your eardrum. It shows us exactly how your hearing aid is performing in your ear — not just what the software predicts.

Why isn't standard hearing aid programming enough on its own?

Standard programming relies on a formula based on your audiogram, but that formula cannot account for the unique shape of your ear canal. REM measures actual output at your eardrum and allows us to fine-tune your hearing aid to match your precise prescription.

What happens if my hearing aids don't meet the targets?

Research shows that hearing aids programmed without verification often miss prescriptive targets. Under-amplification means you are not hearing as well as you could be, and over-amplification may cause discomfort or even further damage.

Do all hearing clinics perform Real Ear Measurement?

Many clinics program hearing aids using manufacturer software alone, without objective verification. REM is considered best practice by the American Academy of Audiology and is one of the clearest indicators of clinical quality.

How long does Real Ear Measurement take?

REM is typically completed within 15 to 30 minutes and is entirely comfortable. A thin, soft probe tube is placed gently in the ear canal and removed immediately after the measurements are complete.

Common Questions About Real Ear Measurement

Real Ear Measurement is something many patients have never once encountered before getting hearing aids. Here's what patients most often want to know about what REM is, why it matters, and what to expect at Desert Valley Audiology.

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How Real Ear Measurement Works

Real Ear Measurement is a straightforward in-clinic procedure that takes all the guesswork out of hearing aid programming by using objective probe microphone measurements to confirm your hearing aids are performing as they should.

‍Probe Microphone Placement: A thin probe microphone tube is placed alongside your hearing aid in the ear canal to measure sound levels.‍
Live Sound Measurement: Your audiologist plays calibrated sounds and the probe measures what is actually delivered to your eardrum.‍
Real-Time Programming Adjustments: If measured output does not match your prescription targets, your hearing aids are adjusted on the spot.

Why Verification Makes a Difference

Studies consistently show that hearing aids programmed without verification often miss prescriptive targets by a significant margin — meaning patients may be under- or over-amplified without ever knowing it. This is one of the leading reasons people find hearing aids unsatisfactory and stop wearing them. REM gives both the audiologist and the patient objective confirmation that the hearing aids are calibrated correctly for that individual's ear.

Real Ear Measurement at Desert Valley Audiology

At Desert Valley Audiology, Real Ear Measurement is not an optional add-on — it is a standard step in every hearing aid fitting we perform. We believe that patients deserve objective confirmation that their hearing aids are working correctly for their ears, not just their audiogram, and REM is the most reliable way to provide that assurance.

If you have been fit for hearing aids elsewhere and are not happy with the results, it is worth asking whether verification was performed during your fitting. Many patients who come to us after an unsatisfying experience elsewhere have never had their hearing aids measured in the ear at all.

To schedule a hearing aid fitting with Real Ear Measurement at our Henderson, Downtown Las Vegas, or Northwest Las Vegas location, call us at (702) 605-9133. Getting your hearing aids right from the start makes every difference in how well they work for you long term.

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Schedule your appointment at one of our three convenient Las Vegas valley locations.
Call us at 702-605-9133 or fill out the contact form.