Simplifying hearing aid fittings with TargetMatch

Let’s face it – the simpler life is, the better. For hearing care professionals (HCPs) and their clients, Real Ear Measurements (REM) offer valuable objective data to improve the hearing aid fitting process. However, many HCPs find the procedure cumbersome and time-consuming, leading to limited adoption despite its clear benefits.

In this article, we’ll explore why REM is important in achieving accurate and personalized fittings, the challenges associated with its adoption, and how TargetMatch, a feature within Phonak Target, simplifies the process to make it more accessible and efficient for HCPs.

Addressing complexity in hearing aid fittings

HCPs aim to deliver optimal care, while clients often seek solutions to hearing challenges they’ve struggled with for years. However, the fitting process often requires interpreting client feedback, translating it into technical adjustments, and fine-tuning hearing instrument settings.

This iterative process can become particularly lengthy if clients have difficulty describing how the hearing aid sounds to them. Objective data provided by REM will supplement client feedback, helping to streamline and enhance the process.

Why real ear measurements (REMs) matter

REM provides critical insights during the fitting process, including:

• Unaided gain: Measures the acoustics of the open ear and indicates whether the probe tube placement is correct.
• Occluded gain: Evaluates acoustical coupling, risk of occlusion effect and the amount of direct sound in the ear canal.
• Aided response: Measures how well the hearing aid matches prescriptive targets, ensuring individualized settings.

Incorporating REM into the fitting process has been shown to improve fitting quality, reduce the number of programming adjustments, and enhance client satisfaction. A study from Amlani, Pumford, and Gessling (2017) also suggests that verification and validation during fittings increase the perceived value of services and, in turn, clients’ willingness to pay for them.

Overcoming challenges to REM adoption

Despite its clear benefits, REM adoption in clinical practice remains limited, often due to concerns about cost, time, and complexity. Tools like TargetMatch effectively address these concerns by automating the workflow and integrating REM functionality into a single system, making the process more accessible and efficient.

How TargetMatch facilitates REM integration

To address these challenges, TargetMatch integrates REM functionality into Phonak Target. This approach simplifies the workflow by enabling the fitting software to communicate directly with the REM system.

With TargetMatch, HCPs can follow a step-by-step guided process that includes probe tube calibration, guided insertion, unaided and occluded gain measurements, matching real-ear aided response (REAR) to targets, and final gain level adjustments. The procedure can be conducted for one or both ears simultaneously.

This integration reduces complexity, minimizes manual operations, and helps ensure consistent, high-quality fittings. HCPs can focus on clinical decision-making and interaction with the client while letting the system handle the technical aspects.

Evaluating costs

While the exact costs and benefits of REM systems may vary across regions and clinical settings, the following example illustrates their cost-effectiveness when considered over the long term,

Illustrative example:

• Cost of REM system: €6,000
• Annual maintenance: €600
• Lifetime: 7 years
• Monthly fittings: 20 binaural fittings (3,360 fittings total over 7 years)

Using these figures, the cost per hearing instrument fitted is approximately €3. This minimal expense underscores the significant benefits of REM, including improved fitting accuracy, greater efficiency, and enhanced client satisfaction.

Experience TargetMatch

Ready to simplify your fitting process? Explore TargetMatch in Phonak Target’s Training Mode and see how easy it is to integrate REM into your daily practice. By leveraging this tool, you can adopt evidence-based practices that improve fitting outcomes and enhance the value you deliver to clients.

Discover more about TargetMatch on Phonak.com.

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References and useful reading:

Amlani, A.M., Pumford, J., & Gessling, E. (2017). Real-ear measurement and its impact on aided audibility and patient loyalty. Hearing Review, 24(10), 12-21.

Drexler, D. & Kossek, P. (2023). Client satisfaction and fitting efficiency with verification. Phonak Insight. Retrieved from phonak.com/evidence, accessed December 2024.

Kochkin, S. (2011). MarkeTrak VIII: Reducing patient visits through verification and validation. Hearing Review, 18(6), 10-12.

Kochkin, S., Beck, D.L., Christensen, L.A., Compton-Conley, C., Kricos, P.B., Fligor, B.J., McSpaden, J.B., Mueller, H.G., Nilsson, M.J., Northern, J.L., Powers, T.A., Sweetow, R.W., Taylor, B., & Turner, R.G. (2010). MarkeTrak VIII: The impact of the hearing healthcare professional on hearing aid user success. Hearing Review, 17(4),12-34.

Jiang, L., Jun, M. & Yang, Z. (2015). Customer-perceived value and loyalty: how do key service quality dimensions matter in the context of B2C e-commerce? Service Business, 10(2), 301-317.