In this way, the characteristics of the ear canal and its effect on the response of the hearing aid are taken into account and seen right on the screen. It is the response of the hearing aid in your real ear. Without these probe-tube measurements, the settings of the hearing aid are really only an approximation. Measuring the effect of the hearing aid in your ear is useful for achieving the greatest fitting accuracy and for verifying that the hearing aid is performing properly. Did it surprise you to learn that these sorts of measurements have been available for decades? They have, and Auditory Services has been at the forefront of using this important technology. When we began doing real-ear measurements in the early 1990’s the sounds used to evaluate the hearing aid settings were mostly tonal, or a composite or grouping of several tones at the same time. This worked very well at the time and hearing aid fitting became much more accurate as a result. Currently real-ear measurements also allow for the use of speech as a stimulus.

Real-ear measurement using speech as a stimulus is sometimes referred to as “speech-mapping”. We use state-of-the-art “Verifit” audiological equipment for doing real-ear measurements with speech mapping.

This process may easily be described to the patient, who can both hear the response of the hearing aid in their ear, and see its effect on the screen. This can be a very enlightening moment for the patient, creating a greater sense of understanding and involvement in the process. After real-ear measurements and programming are successfully completed, we have a comprehensive orientation with the patient and any family members who have come along.