Real Ear Measurement Hearing Aid Fittings in the Denver Area
Real ear measurement (REM) is the only way to verify your hearing aids are programmed correctly for your specific hearing loss. At Colorado Tinnitus & Hearing Center, we use this gold standard verification method for every single hearing aid fitting—a critical step that many practices in the Denver area skip entirely.
Without real ear measurement, your hearing aids are essentially programmed based on manufacturer defaults and guesswork rather than objective data about how sound is actually reaching your eardrum.
What Is Real Ear Measurement?
Real ear measurement is a verification procedure that objectively measures the sound levels your hearing aids deliver into your ear canal. During the process, a thin probe microphone is placed in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid. This microphone measures the actual sound pressure level reaching your eardrum while you wear your devices.
The measurement compares what your hearing aids are delivering against scientifically established targets based on your unique hearing loss pattern. Think of it as the difference between having a pharmacist precisely measure your medication versus eyeballing the dosage—one approach is scientific and reliable, while the other leaves too much to chance.
Why Real Ear Measurement Matters for Your Hearing
Without REM verification, research shows hearing aids are incorrectly programmed up to 75% of the time. This happens because every person's ear anatomy is different. Two people with identical hearing loss on paper can require completely different programming due to variations in ear canal size, shape, and resonance characteristics.
Your ear canal acts like a unique acoustic chamber that amplifies certain frequencies naturally. Manufacturer default settings can't account for these individual differences. They might work perfectly for an "average" ear, but your ears aren't average—they're uniquely yours.
When hearing aids aren't verified with real ear measurement, several problems commonly occur. You might experience inadequate amplification in certain frequency ranges, leaving soft sounds inaudible. Conversely, you could receive excessive amplification in other frequencies, making sounds uncomfortably loud. The result is devices that either don't provide enough benefit or cause listening fatigue throughout the day.
The Real Ear Measurement Process
At our Englewood office, real ear measurement takes approximately 15-20 minutes during your hearing aid fitting appointment. The process is completely painless and non-invasive.
We begin by placing a thin silicone probe tube in your ear canal. This flexible tube contains a tiny microphone that will measure sound levels near your eardrum. The tube is so small and soft that most patients forget it's even there after a few seconds.
Next, we measure your ear canal's natural resonance without hearing aids in place. This baseline measurement tells us how your unique ear anatomy naturally amplifies sound. We then insert your hearing aids and present calibrated test signals at different volumes—soft, moderate, and loud. The probe microphone measures exactly what's reaching your eardrum at each level.
Our computer displays these measurements against scientifically validated prescription targets for your specific hearing loss. If the measurements don't match the targets, we adjust your hearing aid programming and re-measure until we achieve the correct amplification across all frequencies and volume levels.
How REM Differs from Traditional Fitting Methods
Many practices in Denver rely exclusively on subjective feedback—asking "how does this sound?" and making adjustments based on your verbal responses. While patient feedback remains important, it shouldn't be the only verification method.
Subjective impressions are influenced by numerous factors beyond actual audibility. If you've had hearing loss for years, even correctly amplified sound can initially seem "too loud" simply because your brain isn't accustomed to hearing those frequencies anymore. Relying solely on subjective comfort often results in under-amplification, preventing you from receiving the full benefit your hearing aids should provide.
Some practices use simulated real ear measurement, which estimates what's happening in your ear based on average data. This approach is better than nothing but still can't account for your individual ear canal characteristics. Only actual probe microphone measurement in your specific ear provides the accuracy needed for optimal outcomes.
Real Ear Measurement and Best Practices
Real ear measurement isn't just our preference—it's explicitly recommended by the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as an essential component of comprehensive hearing aid fittings. These organizations consider REM verification a best practice standard that should be performed for every patient receiving hearing aids.
Despite these clear professional guidelines, studies suggest fewer than 40% of hearing healthcare providers consistently use real ear measurement. Cost pressures, time constraints, and lack of proper training contribute to this gap between recommended and actual practice.
As Doctors of Audiology committed to evidence-based care, we follow best practices because they lead to better outcomes for our patients. Real ear measurement ensures you receive the precise amplification you need rather than settling for approximations.
The Impact on Your Hearing Aid Success
Research consistently demonstrates that hearing aids verified with real ear measurement provide significantly better outcomes. Studies show improved speech understanding, higher patient satisfaction ratings, and greater long-term hearing aid use among patients whose fittings included REM verification.
When your hearing aids are programmed correctly from the start, you're more likely to experience immediate benefit rather than needing multiple follow-up visits for programming adjustments. This saves you time and frustration while accelerating your adjustment to amplification.
Proper verification also maximizes the sophisticated technology built into modern hearing aids. Premium devices from manufacturers like Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Signia, Starkey, and Widex include advanced features for noise reduction, speech enhancement, and environmental adaptation. However, these features only work optimally when the fundamental amplification is correct—something only real ear measurement can confirm.
Why Many Practices Skip Real Ear Measurement
Given the clear benefits, why would any practice skip this critical verification step? Several factors contribute to the low adoption rate across the industry.
Real ear measurement requires specialized equipment beyond basic hearing aid programming tools. The process also demands additional time during fitting appointments, which can reduce the number of patients a practice can see in a day. For retail-focused hearing aid centers prioritizing volume over outcomes, these factors create disincentives for using REM.
Some practitioners lack proper training in real ear measurement procedures and interpretation. Without confidence in the technique, they default to familiar subjective methods even when those approaches are less accurate.
At Colorado Tinnitus & Hearing Center, we invested in state-of-the-art verification equipment and ongoing training because we're committed to providing the highest quality care. As an independent practice not pressured by corporate sales targets, we can prioritize what's genuinely best for our patients over what's most profitable.
Experience the Difference of Evidence-Based Care
Your hearing is too important to leave to guesswork. At our practice, real ear measurement verification is included with every hearing aid fitting—not as an optional upgrade, but as a fundamental component of comprehensive audiological care.
We complete more thorough testing than most patients receive elsewhere and take the time to explain what we're measuring and why it matters for your specific hearing needs. Our doctors of audiology use best practices including real ear measurement because we're committed to outcomes, not just device sales.
If you're considering hearing aids or frustrated with devices that aren't meeting your needs, contact our office at 303-534-0163 to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation. Experience what proper, scientifically verified hearing aid fittings can accomplish for your communication abilities and quality of life.
