Ignorant Oticon Newer User

[SpudGunner]

I dont know how to do links . Please use the Forum search function. REM stands for Real Ear Measurement. It’s the only accurate way to tell whether your hearing aids are actually delivering what they’re supposed to be delivering to your eardrum.

[gebomartin]

No, she did not do a REM. That machine is in her main office. Shoot!

[SpudGunner]

@gebomartin: You need to educate yourself about them and get one done - there’s no other way to determine whether your HAs are working properly.

REM is standard industry best practices.

[speedy]

The stethoscope method tells us if there’s a blatant problem, but doesn’t actually tell us what the hearing aids are doing. You need to have them tested out with speechmapping (either on ear or in a test box, either way using real ear measures). If they aren’t doing this, they aren’t following best practices.

[SpudGunner]

@gebomartin: Please heed all the great advice our registered provider members dispense for free. If your audi is not conforming to best practices, find one that does.

[pvc]

Professionally fit hearing aids use your paper audiogram (or a digital version) to enter your hearing loss into the fitting software, and then use an additional measuring system to achieve → REM/Real Ear Measurement.

Poll - Does your Professional hearing aid fitting include REM/Real Ear Measurement

REM/Real Ear Measurement is sometimes performed by your professional audiologist using speaker equipment similar to this setup. Probes/microphones are inserted in your ears while your hearing aids are also in your ears. Then a known calibrated signal is played on the speakers and measured inside your ear canals. Here’s a video describing REM/Real Ear Measurement. This Poll wishes to determine how many of us have REM/Real Ear Measurement? poll

[gebomartin]

I feel so dumb. You think another audiologist will take me on? I am on the HearingUp website. My nearest REM is 1 1/2 hours away.

[pvc]

Chill. REM or lack thereof may or may not be the problem. Do you know how to click links? They are the Blue-colored things above. Click them to read more about REM.

[SpudGunner]

@gebomartin

My nearest REM is 1 1/2 hours away.

@gebomartin: Yes, but you have to wear those devices 16/7. They need to be correctly fitted.

[pvc]

@gebomartin

Low end is fine, drops off going across the board and then comes back up and the end.
That’s why she said I had damaged my ears. The highs come back up at the end of the tail.

@cvkemp

I can tell you a cookie bite hearing loss is a hard issue to deal with.

A hearing loss that comes back up at the end of the tail (a.k.a. cookie bite loss) is more difficult to fit. It is too soon to draw conclusions. btw> Evereyone here has “damaged ears” a.k.a. hearing loss.

[cvkemp]

I am speaking to my experience.

[gebomartin]

I guess what I am trying to say is my hearing loss is not solely due to aging.

[gebomartin]

Absolutely!!!

I called 5 different “local” audiologists and they all poo-pooed REM. Said it was not necessary.

I gotta go to either Greensboro or Winston Salem NC and will gladly go if either audiologist will see me.

[MDB]

I haven’t read everything carefully, but I think you’re very happy with how you hear if you bump up the volume on the one side? The simplest solution would seem to be to get your audiologist (or a new audiologist) to bump up the volume on that side.

[gebomartin]

Agreed to a point. I guess I don’t know what I’m really supposed to hear. It may be a whole new world out there beyond Walmart.

[Mago]

@gebomartin

It’s always and only the right ear. Today I have raised the right ear +3 and it is great. Just seems like I shouldn’t have to do that???

There’s your solution! Your Audiologist said she would permanently program your Right hearing aid to this volume increase. You said she will work with you 100%. Give her a chance - You need to help her help you
This is a Partnership between you and your Audiologist.
You don’t need to get into the weeds, that’s her job and she appears to be trying to do that. Your job is to wear your hearing aids during all your waking hours - everyday. Take very specific notes on what you like and do not like - sounds of dishwasher too loud, can’t hear soft beeps on dishwasher, can’t understand Walmart cashier - etc. Communicate this to her and she can adjust / program accordingly. Maybe wear a different dome on the right side. There are solutions to a balance of left and right - both volume and clarity.
Don’t be so hung up on REM. This is not a reason to leave your current Audiologist. I encourage you to actively work with your current Audiologist.

I know my views differ from others on this forum - please don’t create the debate of Best Practices & REM here.

[prodigyplace]

@gebomartin

I gotta go to either Greensboro or Winston Salem NC and will gladly go if either audiologist will see me.

I have had my most thorough test and REM at Duke Health. I go to their South Durham location. My current audiologist, Dr. LeRoux, knows Oticon. It may take several weeks before you can get an appointment. Even then, they sometimes have cancellations and try to work you in.

All Costco do REM but not as thorough. 10 years ago I used Costco Greensboro.

[gebomartin]

I just talked with an Audiologist in Greensboro. She is on Dr Cliff’s approved list. I’m gonna give her a shot.

I downloaded the “online tone generator.” When I went over 7500, the right ear just crackled. Left ear still sounding “normal”. Adjusting the volume didn’t seem to help. Left ear was still louder up and down the scale. From bass tones up to treble tones. This may just be me, LOL…

[prodigyplace]

Ok but I just want to say that Duke gave the best initial fitting I have had in my 20 years of wearing hearing aids.

[gebomartin]

Duke is 3 1/2 drive l one way. I don’t doubt what you are saying. That’s just a heckuva day trip.