Lesson 1Clinical resources and evidence summaries from professional bodies (recommendations for REM use)Summarises guidelines from AAA, ASHA, BSA, and others on verification. Stresses proof for REM, suggested steps, records, and weaving best practices into daily clinic work.
Key AAA and ASHA REM recommendationsBSA and international REM guidanceEvidence comparing REM to first-fitBarriers to guideline implementationCommunicating best practice to patientsLesson 2Compression basics: attack/release times, number of channels, kneepoints, wide dynamic range compression rationaleExplains compression aims and settings like attack/release times, channels, kneepoints. Talks about wide dynamic range compression, speech clearness, and how tweaks affect comfort, sound quality, and checks.
Goals of compression in hearing aidsAttack and release time trade-offsNumber of channels and fine-tuningKneepoints and compression ratiosWDRC and speech audibility benefitsLesson 3Functional verification: aided speech-in-noise testing (QuickSIN, HINT), aided warble-tone thresholds, aided soundfield testingLooks at functional checks with aided soundfield tests. Goes over QuickSIN, HINT, warble-tone thresholds, and reading results with REM to help counselling and adjustments.
Aided soundfield warble-tone thresholdsQuickSIN setup and score interpretationUsing HINT and similar speech testsRelating functional tests to REM dataCounseling patients using test resultsLesson 4REM protocols: aided response, speech mapping, measurement conditions (soft, conversational, loud inputs) and corrections for SPL vs dB HLDetails REM steps for aided responses and speech mapping. Includes test signals, input levels, conditions, and switching SPL to dB HL for spot-on verification results.
Selecting test signals and stimuliSoft, conversational, and loud inputsAided response vs insertion gain viewsCorrections between SPL and dB HLManaging test–retest variabilityLesson 5Documentation and reporting for verification: recording REAR/REIG, target deviations and clinical decision rulesSets out best ways to record verification, with REAR/REIG graphs, target gaps, and reasoning. Stresses clear reports for legal needs, follow-ups, and team talks.
Recording REAR and REIG measurementsDefining acceptable target deviationsNoting MPO and loudness outcomesWriting clear clinical justificationsReporting for referrals and insurersLesson 6Real-ear verification (REM) fundamentals: probe placement, calibration, typical target curves and interpretationIntroduces REM ideas, gear, and setup. Covers probe tube placing, reference mic use, and reading common target curves like REAR, REIG, speech mapping in clinic software.
REM equipment and signal typesCorrect probe tube placement techniquesCalibration and reference mic controlUnderstanding REAR, REIG, and RECDReading and interpreting target curvesLesson 7Fitting formulas: DSL v5 — principles, pediatric origin, use for severe losses and loudness managementLooks into DSL v5 background, kids focus, loudness balancing. Covers who suits it, target making, severe losses handling, with focus on comfort, hearing range, checks in daily work.
Historical development and pediatric rationaleLoudness normalization vs equalization conceptsDSL v5 targets for severe and profound lossesManaging loudness discomfort and safetyVerification of DSL fittings with REMLesson 8Maximum power output (MPO) and output limiting strategies for loudness and safetyCovers MPO ideas, measuring, clinic tweaks. Reviews limiting by compression/clipping, balancing hearing range, sound quality, safety, avoiding loud discomfort and ear damage.
Defining MPO and its clinical relevanceMeasuring MPO in coupler and real earCompression limiting vs peak clippingSetting MPO for comfort and safetySpecial MPO issues in pediatric fittingsLesson 9Overview of hearing aid styles and form factors (BTE, RIC, ITE, CIC, RITE) and clinical implicationsDescribes main hearing aid types like BTE, RIC, ITE, CIC, RITE. Checks looks, sound, handling effects, plus who fits based on hand skills, ear shape, loss level.
BTE and thin-tube fittingsRIC and RITE design considerationsITE, ITC, and CIC custom devicesOpen vs occluded fittings and ventingStyle selection based on patient needsLesson 10Common manufacturer fitting software features that affect verification (real-ear simulated targets, coupler-based presets) and limitationsLooks at how maker software makes simulated real-ear targets, coupler presets. Talks assumptions, age/vent effects, why own REM still needed for personal fittings.
First-fit algorithms and default presetsReal-ear simulated targets in softwareCoupler-based fittings and assumptionsImpact of venting and acoustic couplingWhy REM is needed beyond softwareLesson 11Technical classifications: analogue vs digital, receiver-in-canal vs receiver-in-ear, programmable featuresGroups hearing aids by processing, shape. Explains analogue vs digital, RIC vs RITE terms, key tweakable features for fitting ease, checks, patient results.
Analog vs digital processing basicsBTE, RIC, RITE, ITE, CIC distinctionsTelecoil, wireless, and streaming optionsDirectional microphones and noise reductionData logging and adaptive featuresLesson 12Fitting formulas: NAL-NL1/NL2 — principles, targets, strengths for speech intelligibilityCovers NAL-NL1/NL2 making, aims, targets. Stresses speech clearness boost, loudness matching, picking between NAL types for adults, special groups.
Historical development of NAL formulasSpeech intelligibility and loudness goalsDifferences between NAL-NL1 and NAL-NL2Selecting NAL vs DSL for adultsVerifying NAL fittings with REM
