When you invest in Starkey Omega AI hearing aids, you're choosing technology capable of delivering up to 28% better speech intelligibility and an 8 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement. But here's what many people don't realize: without proper verification through Real Ear Measurements, you may only be experiencing a fraction of what these advanced devices can do.
At The Audiology METHOD, we believe the fitting process is just as important as the technology itself. That's why we use Real Ear Measurements for every hearing aid fitting—it's the only way to ensure your Omega AI hearing aids are programmed to match your unique ear anatomy and deliver the performance Starkey engineered into them.
Real Ear Measurements (REM) involve placing a thin probe microphone within 5mm of your eardrum while a sound stimulus is delivered through a loudspeaker. This process measures the actual sound pressure level your hearing aid produces inside your ear canal—not just what the manufacturer's software predicts it should be doing.
Your ear canal is as unique as your fingerprint. Two people with identical hearing loss will experience different acoustic effects based on their individual ear canal shape, size, and resonance characteristics. The manufacturer's first fit can't account for these variations, which is why verification through Real Ear Measurements is critical.
Research shows that when audiologists rely solely on manufacturer first fits, the median results deviate significantly from target, particularly at higher frequencies. The individual variations across different patients are substantial, making it nearly impossible to predict how far your hearing aids might be from optimal performance without measuring.
The Starkey Omega AI platform represents a significant advancement in hearing technology. Its DNN 360 Directionality uses deep neural network processing to continuously adapt to your environment, providing exceptional speech clarity while maintaining natural spatial awareness. The device features waterproofing tested to last 10 times longer than previous models and offers an impressive 51 hours of battery life.
But all this sophisticated technology needs a proper foundation. The Omega AI's advanced features—including its 28% speech intelligibility improvement and superior signal-to-noise ratio—are based on the hearing aid delivering the correct amount of amplification across all frequencies. Without Real Ear Measurements, there's no way to confirm this is actually happening in your specific ear canal.
When we fit your Omega AI hearing aids using REM, we're not just programming them according to generic standards. We're customizing the output to work with your ear canal's natural acoustics, ensuring you receive the full benefit of Starkey's engineering innovations.
When you come to The Audiology METHOD for Omega AI hearing aids, our fitting process includes several quality assurance steps that set us apart. Before your hearing aids even touch your ears, we perform an electroacoustic analysis. Research shows that 20% of hearing aids fail to meet ANSI standards right out of the box—we check every device before your fitting to ensure yours isn't one of them.
During your fitting appointment, we use Real Ear Speech Mapping Verification Testing. This process involves placing a small microphone in your ear canal, inserting your hearing aid on top of it, and delivering sound while we watch the hearing aid's response in real time. We can immediately see whether the device is providing too much amplification, not enough, or just the right amount across the frequency spectrum.
This verification becomes particularly important with the Omega AI's advanced features. The device's DNN 360 system processes sound in sophisticated ways, but it still needs to start with the correct baseline programming for your ears. Real Ear Measurements ensure that foundation is solid.
Studies comparing manufacturer first fits to Real Ear Measurement fittings reveal significant differences in patient outcomes. At quiet speech levels (50 dB input), patients fitted with REM showed substantially better word recognition scores compared to those receiving only first fits. The same advantage appeared at normal conversation levels (65 dB input).
These are the exact listening situations where people with hearing loss struggle most—quiet conversations in calm environments and typical daily interactions. The Omega AI's enhanced speech understanding capabilities are designed to help in these scenarios, but only if the hearing aids are properly calibrated to your ears.
Patient preference studies show that when given a choice between REM-fitted hearing aids and manufacturer first fits, people choose the REM-fitted devices 79% of the time. This isn't surprising when you consider the measurable improvements in speech recognition and the closer match to prescribed targets that REM provides.
The Omega AI platform includes features that benefit from precise programming. Its Edge Mode+ gives you on-demand speech enhancement in challenging environments. The TeleHear AI feature uses generative AI to troubleshoot common issues with 93% accuracy. The health tracking capabilities monitor your wellness metrics in the background.
All these innovations work better when your hearing aids are properly fitted. Real Ear Measurements ensure that when you activate Edge Mode+ in a noisy restaurant, the baseline programming is already optimized for your ears. When TeleHear AI makes adjustments, it's modifying a fitting that's already accurately matched to your needs.
The Omega AI's 51-hour battery life means you can wear these devices all day without worrying about charging. But wearing hearing aids that aren't properly fitted means you're experiencing listening fatigue you don't need to endure. Studies show that proper fitting can reduce listening effort by up to 45% in quiet situations for people with moderate to severe hearing loss, and reduce reported fatigue by 21%.
Our commitment to Real Ear Measurements doesn't end with your first fitting. As your hearing changes over time or as you adjust to amplification, your hearing aids may need fine-tuning. We use REM during follow-up appointments to verify that adjustments maintain the proper target match.
The Omega AI's ability to adapt to your preferences through its AI features is impressive, but these adaptations work best when built on a foundation of accurate initial programming. Regular verification appointments help us track how well the hearing aids continue to meet your needs as your listening experiences evolve.
We also use Real Ear Measurements to verify advanced features like the Omega AI's directional microphone performance. This ensures that when the DNN 360 system focuses on speech from different directions, it's doing so with the proper acoustic foundation for your specific ear canals.
Choosing Starkey Omega AI hearing aids means you're selecting technology designed to provide superhuman hearing capabilities. The deep neural network processing, generative AI support, enhanced durability, and health-tracking features represent some of the most advanced hearing technology available today.
But technology alone doesn't guarantee results. The fitting process transforms potential into performance. At The Audiology METHOD, we combine cutting-edge devices with evidence-based fitting practices to ensure you experience the full capabilities of your investment.
Our approach means you'll leave your fitting appointment confident that your hearing aids are programmed correctly from day one. You'll understand how they work, how to use them effectively, and what to expect as you adjust to better hearing. We'll schedule appropriate follow-up appointments to fine-tune your experience and verify continued optimal performance.
If you're ready to experience what Omega AI hearing aids can do when properly fitted with Real Ear Measurements, contact us at (720) 457-1763 or visit our Centennial office at 7180 E. Orchard Rd., Suite 302. Dr. Link and our experienced team are here to provide the personalized, evidence-based care that makes the difference between adequate hearing and exceptional hearing experiences.
