Real Ear Measurements
Real Ear Measurements (REM) are a critical verification technique used to ensure hearing aids are programmed correctly for your specific hearing needs. At Citrus Hearing Clinic, we consider REM an essential part of best practice hearing aid fitting. This precise measurement technique uses a tiny microphone placed in your ear canal to measure exactly how sound is being delivered by your hearing aids, allowing our audiologists to make accurate adjustments tailored to your unique ear anatomy and hearing loss profile.
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The Real Ear Measurement Process
When we perform Real Ear Measurements, we place a small microphone in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid. This microphone captures the actual sound levels reaching your eardrum. We then play various calibrated sounds and measure how your hearing aid processes these sounds in your specific ear canal. The measurements allow us to compare the actual performance against prescribed targets based on your audiogram.
Our audiologists then make precise adjustments to your hearing aid settings to match these targets, ensuring you receive the appropriate amplification across all frequencies for your unique hearing loss.
At Citrus Hearing Clinic, we work with all three major cochlear implant manufacturers, allowing us to recommend the system that best suits each patient's unique needs and preferences.
Cochlear Americas
Cochlear Americas offers innovative implant systems known for reliability and a strong support network. Their processors feature advanced connectivity options for streaming audio directly from smartphones and other devices. The Nucleus system includes unique features like a slim, off-the-ear processor option and water-resistant accessories for active lifestyles.
Med-EL
Med-EL implants are designed with a focus on preserving delicate inner ear structures and natural hearing when possible. They offer the longest electrode arrays in the industry, which may provide better coverage of the entire cochlea. Their processors are known for excellent music appreciation capabilities and MRI compatibility without magnet removal in many cases.
Advanced Bionics
Advanced Bionics devices, developed in partnership with Phonak, feature sophisticated sound processing strategies that excel in challenging listening environments. Their processors offer excellent water resistance options for swimming and water activities, along with direct connectivity to compatible devices for streaming audio content.
Benefits of Real Ear Verification
Real Ear Measurements represent the gold standard in hearing aid fitting verification. Unlike basic hearing aid programming that relies on averages, REM provides objective, individualized data that ensures your devices are truly meeting your needs. This science-based approach leads to significantly better outcomes for our patients.
Personalized programming based on your unique ear canal acoustics, not averages
Objective verification that your hearing aids are providing appropriate amplification
Improved speech understanding and clarity through precise frequency adjustments
Reduced need for return visits and adjustments due to accurate initial fitting
Deaf Related Children Authors
At Citrus Hearing Clinic, we support children's books that help young readers understand and embrace hearing differences. These authors create stories featuring characters with hearing aids and cochlear implants that promote self-advocacy, acceptance, and confidence – values we champion in our pediatric audiology services.
Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears is an encouraging story about a young elementary school girl who is passionate about space and self-advocacy.
In this short story, the reader will explore Jordyn as she learns to overcome being judged for having a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. This story is meant to uplift children like Jordyn who may be learning to accept and celebrate their unique differences.
Get The Book Here
I Deaf-initely Can, Rhett the Heeler is a heartwarming story about a deaf shelter dog and his adoption by Karlie, a deaf girl.
Written from Rhett's perspective, the book follows their journey as they learn sign language together and prove that deafness doesn't limit possibilities. Through colorful illustrations and personal experience, author Karlie Waldrip celebrates differences and shows readers that everyone "deaf-initely can" overcome challenges.
Get The Book Here
Join Karlie and Rhett in their latest book "We Deaf-initely Can, Let the Adventures Begin", as they embark on new and exciting journeys together.
Start your day with them, explore fun adventures, and end with a celebration of bravery in trying new things. Immerse yourself in sign language and witness how they embrace the joy of going on adventures.
Get The Book Here
Signimalz is a unique Sign Language Alphabet book that depicts animals fingerspelling individual letters of the American Sign Language alphabet.
This book can be used as a teaching resource for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students or as a fun learning tool for everyone.
Get The Book HereEvery ear canal is shaped differently, which significantly affects how sound is delivered to your eardrum. Without REM, hearing aids are programmed based on average ear canal acoustics, which may not match your specific anatomy. REM ensures your hearing aids are precisely tailored to your individual ears, significantly improving performance and satisfaction.
No, despite being considered best practice by audiology organizations, studies indicate that only about 30-40% of hearing care providers regularly use REM when fitting hearing aids. At Citrus Hearing Clinic, we're committed to following best practices and use REM as standard procedure for all hearing aid fittings.
The REM procedure typically takes about 20-30 minutes to complete for both ears. This time investment during your initial fitting saves considerable time later by reducing the need for multiple adjustment appointments.
Most patients report significant improvements in hearing clarity and comfort when their hearing aids are verified using REM. Research supports this, showing higher satisfaction rates and better speech understanding compared to hearing aids fitted without verification.
Absolutely. We offer REM verification for hearing aids purchased anywhere. Many patients who have struggled with hearing aids fitted without verification experience dramatic improvements after having their devices properly adjusted using our REM equipment.
Initially, REM should be performed during your hearing aid fitting. We recommend repeating measurements annually or whenever significant changes occur in your hearing. This ensures your hearing aids continue to meet your needs as your hearing or ear canal characteristics change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Real Ear Measurements
Many patients have questions about Real Ear Measurements and how they impact hearing aid performance. We believe educated patients make better decisions about their hearing care. Understanding the importance of verification in the hearing aid fitting process helps patients appreciate the value of comprehensive care beyond simply purchasing devices.
Schedule Your Real Ear Measurement Appointment
If you're getting new hearing aids or want to optimize the performance of your current devices, contact Citrus Hearing Clinic today to schedule a Real Ear Measurement appointment. Our Doctors of Audiology are experts in this verification technique and committed to providing evidence-based care that delivers measurable results. As a family-owned clinic with no manufacturer affiliations, we focus solely on what's best for your hearing health rather than sales quotas or brand loyalties.
Call us at 352-989-5123 to schedule your appointment at our Clermont location.
Contact us
Clinic Location
Clermont, FL 34711
Opening Hours
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
