Real Ear Measurement (REM)

by | Aug 3, 2026 | Audiology Technology, Hearing Test | 0 comments

Real-ear measurement verification

REM is Non-Negotiable for Your Hearing Aids

When you invest in hearing aids, you aren’t just buying a piece of technology—you are buying the custom programming that makes that technology work for your unique ears. At Audio Hearing, we ensure that programming is perfectly accurate using a gold-standard process called Real Ear Measurement (REM) verification.

If your clinician isn’t using REM, your hearing aids are essentially operating on guesswork. Here is why this clinical standard is essential for your hearing health.

The Problem with Manufacturer Guesswork

Every human ear canal is shaped differently. The length, volume, and bends of your ear canal act like a unique acoustic instrument, naturally altering how sound vibrates and travels to your eardrum.

When a hearing aid is plugged into a computer, the fitting software uses a mathematical formula to estimate how much sound is reaching your eardrum based on average ear canal sizes. However, standard software estimates can be drastically incorrect—often under-prescribing sound in critical speech frequencies or over-amplifying harsh sounds.

What is Real Ear Measurement (REM)?

REM is an objective verification method that measures exactly what the hearing aid is doing inside your specific ear.

1.Probe Tube Placement: Must be performed before turning the hearing aid on.

A tiny, soft, silicone microphone tube is carefully placed into your ear canal, sitting just millimeters away from your eardrum.

2.Hearing Aid Insertion: Ensures the device doesn’t displace the probe.

Your hearing aid is placed into your ear canal right alongside the probe tube.

3.Acoustic Testing: Uses standardized speech samples.

We play specific speech sounds and calibrated tones through a speaker. The tiny probe microphone measures the exact decibel level of the sound inside your ear canal.

4.Live Target Tuning: Adjustments made in real-time.

The clinician adjusts the hearing aid’s programming in real-time until the live acoustic readout perfectly matches your target hearing prescription.

 

The Benefits of REM Verification

  • Maximum Speech Clarity: By precisely matching your target prescription, REM ensures you can hear soft speech sounds (like “s,” “th,” and “f”) that are vital for understanding conversations in noisy environments.

  • Immediate Comfort: REM prevents over-amplification, meaning sudden loud noises won’t be painful or jarring.

  • Faster Adaptation: Your brain adapts to new hearing aids much quicker when the sound acoustics match your precise neurological prescription from day one.

  • True Value for Money: REM unlocks the full processing power of premium hearing technology, ensuring you actually get what you paid for.

Experience the AudioHearing Difference

At AudioHearing Melbourne, we don’t believe in “close enough” when it comes to your hearing. We perform Real Ear Measurement verifications for our clients to guarantee an evidence-based, highly personalized fitting.

If you want to ensure your current hearing aids are performing at their absolute best, or if you are ready to explore new hearing solutions, book a comprehensive fitting or adjustment consultation with our team today.