The Science Behind Real Ear Measurements for Improved Hearing

April 9, 2025

What Are Real Ear Measurements & Why Are They So Important?

If you’ve been researching hearing aids, you may have come across the term “real ear measurements” or REM. But what does this actually mean, and why is it important for your hearing aid fitting? And is it even a necessary step in the hearing aid process?


At The Tinnitus and Hearing Center of Arizona, we believe in providing the most accurate and personalized hearing aid programming possible. That’s why we use real ear measurements to fine-tune your hearing aids so you can hear your best in every situation. Let’s dive into the science behind REM and how it improves your hearing. We promise, it’s super interesting!

What Are Real Ear Measurements?

No two ears are exactly alike. The shape and size of your ear canal impact how sound is delivered to your eardrum. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach to hearing aid programming won’t provide you with the best results.


That’s where REM comes in!

How Real Ear Measurements Work

First, a small, flexible tube is placed inside your ear canal and positioned next to your eardrum. Then, your hearing aid is inserted while the tube measures how much sound actually reaches your eardrum.


We adjust your hearing aid settings based on these real-time measurements to ensure you’re getting the proper amplification. Our patients often say it tickles—don’t worry, it’s not painful!

Benefit #1 – A Truly Customized Hearing Aid Fit

Real ear measurements ensure your hearing aids are tailored to your uniquely shaped ear canal.


Even if two patients have the same hearing loss, the same hearing aids, and identical settings, their hearing experience can still be different. Why? Because the unique shape of each person’s ear canal affects how sound travels and is perceived.


Instead of relying on generic manufacturer defaults, we fine-tune your devices for clearer, more natural sound.

Benefit #2 – Better Speech Understanding

Studies show that patients who receive REM-guided programming experience:

  • Higher listening ability
  • Improved speech understanding in background noise
  • Better communication in daily life


If you’ve ever struggled to hear conversations in noisy environments, REM helps optimize your hearing aids so you can focus on speech and minimize background distractions.


Sometimes, if a patient is having trouble understanding a specific person, we even ask them to bring that family member or friend to an appointment—so we can fine-tune the devices to better pick up that person’s voice.

Benefit #3 – More Comfort, Less Annoyance

New hearing aids can take some getting used to. Certain sounds may seem too sharp or too loud at first. With REM, we can fine-tune your settings for:

  • A comfortable listening experience
  • The right balance of volume and clarity
  • Less listening fatigue throughout the day

Instead of “toughing it out,” let our expert audiologists make the necessary adjustments for you.

REM Helps Optimize Special Features

Today’s hearing aids come with a wide array of advanced features, from directional microphones to frequency lowering technology.

Real ear measurements allow us to verify that these features are working properly, and make sure you’re getting the full benefit from your devices.

Real Ear Measurements Lead to Greater Satisfaction

We could talk all day about the benefits of REM—but we’ve got the research to back it up!


A study by Valente et al. (2018) found that hearing aid manufacturers’ “first fit” settings often don’t match prescription targets. That means many patients aren’t getting the correct volume across all frequencies.


But when audiologists use REM, the fittings are significantly more precise. In fact, 79% of patients preferred the REM-programmed hearing aids over those using default settings.

Get the Best Hearing Experience Possible

At The Tinnitus and Hearing Center of Arizona, we recommend real ear measurements for every hearing aid fitting—because we believe in giving you the best hearing experience possible.


Better programming leads to better hearing… and that’s what matters most.



Are your hearing aids performing at their best? If not, we’d love to help you fine-tune your settings and get a more personalized fitting. Schedule an appointment with us today!

April 17, 2025
It's important for everyone to be able to hear the world around them. However, the reality is that around 15% of American adults over the age of 18 have trouble hearing. This can be extremely frustrating, and cause a person to miss out on important things every day. Hearing aids are a fantastic solution to this common challenge, and Oticon stands out as a leader in innovative hearing technology. Let's explore the world of Oticon Hearing Aids, uncovering their remarkable benefits and how they work to not just improve hearing and ease tinnitus, but to truly elevate your quality of life. The Importance of Hearing Aids in Modern Life Hearing aids are essential for those with hearing loss. In addition to helping communication and social engagement, they also offer enhanced safety, reduced cognitive strain, and provide a greater sense of connection with the world. Many people don't realize the potential dangers of even slight hearing loss. It can be difficult to hear things such as fire alarms, traffic noise, or sirens. Those who use hearing aids experience clearer communication in both quiet and noisy settings, and they help individuals stay engaged with others while reducing the social isolation that often comes along with hearing loss. Overall, hearing aids allow people to more fully participate in daily life. Overview of Oticon Hearing Aids Oticon Hearing Aids digitally process sounds to make it easier for the wearer to hear. By supporting the brain's natural sound processing, the hearing aids offer solutions for a variety of hearing loss levels from mild to profound as well as single-sided deafness. BrainHearing Technology is based on the brain's hearing process. It is important to understand that with normal hearing, sound waves enter the ear, where they are translated into neural signals that are sent to the brain and processed as sound. With hearing loss, however, the sounds are jumbled from the start, and it is difficult for the brain to make sense of them. Oticon Hearing Aids go a long way in helping by assisting wearers in focusing and zooming in on sounds they are trying to hear. Key Features of Oticon Hearing MoreSound Intelligence (MSI) 3.0 is a groundbreaking technology that makes it easier for users to enjoy, follow and engage in conversations. It comprehensively scans and precisely analyzes the sound scene. Then it organizes the sounds around the user and utilizes the brand new on-board Deep Neural Network 2.0 to process and create contrast among the identified sounds. New MSI 3.0 brings users the full sound scene in much higher clarity and balance in any situation than ever before. And what’s more, thanks to the 4D sensors, it seamlessly adapts to the user’s specific listening needs delivering personalized support based on the situation and the user’s intention, for significantly improved speech comprehension. What truly sets these hearing aids apart is their sophisticated sensor technology. Imagine being in a crowded restaurant – these devices can intelligently analyze the environment, identify speech, and reduce distracting background noise in real-time. This means you can actively participate in conversations, even in challenging acoustic situations, without the strain and frustration you might have experienced before. This ability to adapt to your surroundings and prioritize clarity is a game-changer, making social gatherings and everyday interactions enjoyable again. Models and Their Unique Benefits The Newer Oticon Intent Experience sound the way it was meant to be heard with the Oticon Intent. Designed with cutting-edge technology, the Intent focuses on providing a rich and natural sound experience, allowing you to effortlessly engage in conversations and connect with your surroundings. Oticon Custom Own & Custom Own SI’s For a discreet and personalized hearing solution, the Oticon Custom Own and Custom Own SI's are tailored to fit the unique contours of your ear. These in-the-ear hearing aids offer exceptional comfort and a natural listening experience without compromising on Oticon's advanced sound processing. Tinnitus Relief Through Oticon Hearing Aids Through Tinnitus SoundSupport, a sound generator integrated into Oticon Hearing Aids, wearers experience tinnitus relief through the integration of various sounds into the hearing aids that help distract or mask the tinnitus. There are options for natural sounds, broadband noise, and customizable settings. Various sounds are available, including natural sounds like ocean waves, steady white noise, and broadband noise. Contact Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona Don't let hearing loss hold you back from anything that life has to offer. At Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona, we have decades of experience providing the best treatment available with advanced technology that focuses on your hearing loss and brain function. Hearing better means living better! Discover how Oticon and the Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona are transforming lives by improving hearing, providing tinnitus relief, and enhancing quality of life. It's time to hear the world clearly again! Contact us today to get started on the path to better hearing. Image Source: Noelle12 /Shutterstock
By alyssa brekken April 8, 2025
Why Starkey Hearing Aids for Better Hearing and Tinnitus
hearing aids
By alyssa brekken April 8, 2025
Lenire is a treatment device that alleviates the symptoms of tinnitus. It works using bimodal neuromodulation. Learn how it works & if it's right for you.
cbt-vs-trt
By alyssa brekken March 12, 2025
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) are similar, but offer different approach to treating tinnitus. Compare them here.
November 19, 2024
As the holidays approach, many of us are gearing up to gather with family and friends for festive meals and celebrations. Cooking, especially during this time, is a multi-sensory experience. From the sizzle of meat on the grill to the bubbling of gravy on the stove to the ding of an egg timer, hearing well in the kitchen is a vital part of the cooking process.
October 19, 2024
Contantly asking "what" & "huh" is far more noticeable than any hearing aid.
hearing aid
June 28, 2024
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get more out of their hearing aids than others? The secret lies in a crucial step called real ear verification.
May 31, 2024
Do you ever find yourself constantly battling with the persistent ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus? If so, you are not alone. Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide, impacting their daily lives and overall well-being.
February 8, 2024
Love is in the air, which inspired us to write a blog post about finding your perfect match… your perfect hearing aid match, that is! There’s so much information out there and so many rumors about “the best” or “the worst” hearing aids. It can be overwhelming to try to choose!
tinnitus
September 13, 2023
Experiencing tinnitus can have a deeply negative impact on life. As this condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat, finding relief can be overwhelming and may require a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
More Posts