Real-ear verification is a measure of verifying prescriptive targets for hearing aid settings and various hearing aid features. This allows for a more accurate hearing aid fitting. The way that we like to explain it is this: two different individuals could have the exact same hearing test result, but if their hearing aids were programmed the same, they would both perceive the sound quality to be completely different.

The reason for this difference has to do with different factors such as ear canal size, shape, a natural peak in acoustics, etc. that all contribute to how we hear sounds. When we perform real-ear verification we take these factors into account and measure the natural peak in acoustics for your ear canal. We then use that information with your hearing test results to find the prescription for your hearing aids for optimal speech understanding at soft, average, and loud levels.

Real ear verification testing makes a big difference when it comes to an accurate hearing aid fitting. When a person receives real-ear verification testing or, if they transfer their care to an audiologist who completes real-ear verification testing, they notice a tremendous improvement in speech understanding and clarity. When you call to schedule an appointment with any hearing healthcare provider, make sure you ask if they complete real-ear verification testing. It is the most important part of the hearing aid fitting.