Using REM and VSPM to Demonstrate and Verify Advanced Hearing Aid Features

The talk would be given by Dennis Mistry, Audiologist & Clinical Product Manager -Hearing Aid Fitting Interacoustics

There are several other complex features and processes which are working alongside the provision of
amplification within a hearing aid. Although these features aren’t the main purpose of the device, they are
drastically assisting the listener to maintain their focus on the signal and reduce or block out noise.
Different manufacturers of hearing aids have different approaches and interpretation of such features which
are aimed at giving the best listening experience and comfort for the patient, however they can apply and
interpret these in different ways. Objectively measuring their effect via Real Ear Measurement (REM) or
Visible Speech Mapping (VSPM) and observing the variance that setting alterations cause will give the
clinician a better, evidence-based, approach when fitting and prescribing such features for their patients.
This presentation will give a short description of three of the main hearing aid features (Noise
Reduction, Frequency Lowering and Microphone Directionality) which are assisting the listener today but
also show how to objectively measure and verify their performance using REM and VSPM. This will help to
give understanding to both the clinician and the patient when selecting the most appropriate hearing aid
and configuration of such features.