What is Live Speech Mapping?
Today, many hearing care professionals are equipped with new technologies and methods which help make hearing healthcare much more effective.
Basically, live speech mapping is a new technique of fitting hearing aid instruments. By using a microphone placed in the ear, the performance of the hearing aid can be measured, in real-time – hence the term “live speech mapping.” This process makes hearing aid fittings more accurate and reduces the need for multiple office visits which are usually required for successful hearing aid programming and adjustments.
Live Speech Mapping Explained
Live speech mapping is essentially a verification method that is used to ensure that the hearing aid device is programmed for the individual needs of each patient. As we mentioned, a small microphone is placed in the ear canal which can actually measure how the hearing aid is performing in response to certain sounds.
Your hearing care professional will use real-ear measurements that will allow him or her to “see” what you are hearing through your hearing aids on a screen in real-time. This allows them to make the necessary adjustments to the hearing aid while viewing the results live. The results are displayed on a monitor so that you, your family member or loved one can also see the results of the adjustments as they are being made. This allows both you and your family members to visualize and understand the differences that hearing aids can make in your hearing.
Benefits of Live Speech Mapping
Most if not all of today’s hearing aids are able to be programmed by using a computer, hearing aid manufacturers have developed software that can determine what the average settings of a hearing aid should be for a particular hearing loss. Unfortunately, this method does not take into account the shape of the ear canal, which is not always the same. Live speech mapping more accuracy when it comes to programming the hearing aid the first time around.
If you or a loved one have a hearing loss, it might be difficult to fully understand what you can and cannot hear, and therefore, you may not understand everything you are missing. With live speech mapping, you will be shown exactly what you can and cannot hear in real-time and you will be able to immediately hear and see the improvements the hearing aids are providing you.
Other Benefits Live Speech Mapping:
- Provides immediate results
- Engages both you and your family during the fitting process
- Increases confidence and comfort, especially for first-time hearing aid users
Still have Questions? Hearing, Balance & Speech is Here to Help You!
If you would like to speak with an experienced hearing care professional, please contact us at Hearing, Balance & Speech to schedule an appointment. We are here for you, to help with all aspects of your hearing health.