Why Citrus Hearing Goes the Extra Mile with Real Ear Measurement

When you invest in hearing aids, you deserve the assurance that they're working exactly as intended for your unique hearing needs. At Citrus Hearing Clinic, we believe that proper hearing aid fitting goes far beyond simply programming a device and sending you home. That's why we use Real Ear Measurement (REM) technology with every hearing aid fitting—a verification process that sets us apart from many other hearing care providers.

Real Ear Measurement represents the gold standard in hearing aid verification, yet studies show that only 20-30% of hearing care professionals regularly use this technology. As a Dr. Cliff approved provider committed to comprehensive best practices, we understand that skipping this step means you might not receive the full benefit of your hearing technology investment.

Understanding Real Ear Measurement

Real Ear Measurement is a verification technique that allows us to measure exactly how your hearing aids are performing while they're in your ears. The process involves placing a thin, flexible microphone in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid. This microphone captures the actual sound levels reaching your eardrum, providing precise data about how your device is functioning in your specific ear anatomy.

Think of it as the difference between having a suit tailored specifically for your body versus buying one off the rack and hoping it fits well. Every person's ear canal is shaped differently, and these variations significantly affect how sound travels to your eardrum. Without Real Ear Measurement, hearing aids are programmed based on average ear canal acoustics, which may not match your individual anatomy.

Why Your Ear Canal Shape Matters

Your ear canal isn't just a simple tube—it's a complex acoustic space with unique characteristics that influence how sound reaches your inner ear. Some people have wider canals, others have narrower ones. Some are shorter, while others are longer. These differences affect the acoustic properties of your ear and change how hearing aids deliver sound to your eardrum.

When hearing aids are programmed without considering these individual differences, you might experience sounds that are too loud in some frequencies and too soft in others. This can result in unclear speech, uncomfortable loud sounds, or the feeling that your hearing aids aren't helping as much as they should.

The Real Ear Measurement Process

During your hearing aid fitting at our Clermont office, we begin the Real Ear Measurement process by placing a small probe microphone in your ear canal. This microphone is so thin that it fits comfortably alongside your hearing aid without causing discomfort. We then play calibrated test sounds through speakers while measuring how these sounds are modified by your ear canal before they reach your eardrum.

Next, we insert your hearing aid and repeat the measurements. This allows us to see exactly how much amplification your hearing aid is providing across different frequencies. We can then compare these measurements to prescribed targets based on your specific hearing loss profile and make precise adjustments to ensure optimal performance.

The entire process takes about 20-30 minutes for both ears, but this time investment during your initial fitting can save considerable time later by reducing the need for multiple adjustment appointments. Most patients are amazed to see the visual representation of how their hearing aids are performing and often notice immediate improvements in sound quality and comfort.

Benefits You'll Experience

Patients who receive hearing aids verified with Real Ear Measurement report significantly higher satisfaction rates compared to those fitted without this verification. You'll likely notice clearer speech understanding, more comfortable listening in various environments, and better overall sound quality.

The precision of Real Ear Measurement means your hearing aids are programmed specifically for your ear anatomy rather than generic averages. This personalized approach often results in speech that sounds more natural, music that's more enjoyable, and environmental sounds that provide important information without being overwhelming.

Many of our patients also report reduced listening fatigue. When hearing aids are properly verified, your brain doesn't have to work as hard to process and understand sounds, leaving you less exhausted at the end of the day.

Beyond the Initial Fitting

Real Ear Measurement isn't just valuable during your initial hearing aid fitting. We recommend repeating these measurements annually or whenever significant changes occur in your hearing. Your ear canal characteristics can change over time due to factors like earwax buildup, aging, or medical conditions. Regular verification ensures your hearing aids continue to meet your needs as these changes occur.

If you're experiencing difficulties with hearing aids fitted elsewhere without Real Ear Measurement, we can perform this verification to optimize their performance. Many patients who have struggled with hearing aids purchased from other providers experience dramatic improvements after having their devices properly adjusted using our REM equipment.

Our Commitment to Best Practices

As a HearingUp Provider Network member, formerly known as Dr. Cliff's Best Practice Pro Network, we've been personally vetted to ensure we maintain the highest standards in hearing healthcare. Real Ear Measurement is just one component of our comprehensive best practice approach, which includes thorough hearing evaluation, appropriate technology recommendations, precise fitting, and meaningful follow-up care.

Both Dr. Laura Bradley Pratesi and Dr. Teresa J. Parsons understand the importance of proper hearing aid fitting from personal experience—they both use hearing aids themselves. This unique perspective, combined with their professional expertise, allows them to provide genuinely empathetic care that addresses both the technical and emotional aspects of hearing loss.

Making the Right Choice

When considering hearing aids, remember that the device itself is only part of the equation. The fitting process and ongoing care you receive are equally important for achieving optimal outcomes. While some providers may skip Real Ear Measurement to save time or reduce costs, this shortcut often leads to less satisfied patients and hearing aids that don't perform to their full potential.

At Citrus Hearing Clinic, we believe you deserve hearing aids that are precisely calibrated for your unique needs. Our commitment to using Real Ear Measurement with every fitting reflects our dedication to providing you with the best possible hearing outcomes, not just selling you a product.

Experience the Difference at Citrus Hearing Clinic

Real Ear Measurement represents our commitment to going the extra mile for our patients. As an independent, family-owned practice, we have the flexibility to prioritize your hearing health above all else, with no pressure to meet sales quotas or promote specific manufacturers.

Whether you're considering your first hearing aids or looking to optimize the performance of current devices, our comprehensive approach ensures you receive the personalized care you deserve. Contact our Clermont office at 352-989-5123 to schedule a consultation with our experienced audiologists and discover how Real Ear Measurement can make a difference in your hearing experience.