Course

Fitting Methods & Real Ear Measurement

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Hearing Instrument Practitioner
Course code
HEAR 2111
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course focuses on prescription fitting methods and real ear measurement (REM). An integral part of hearing health care is to determine how much amplification to provide for clients with specific amounts and types of hearing loss; this is the goal of fitting methods. A following concern is to verify that the goals of the fitting methods have indeed been achieved. The development of fitting methods and REM have been intertwined over the years.
Course content

 

  1. Overview of linear hearing aid verification by means of functional gain
  2. Linear based hearing aid fitting methods of yesterday
  3. Compression based fitting methods of today
  4. Introduction to verification by real ear measurement (REM)
  5. REM verifications versus manufacturer fitting software predictions
Learning activities
  1. Laboratory lecture
  2. Application exercises in lab
  3. Independent study of courseware
  4. Completion of proficiency tests
  5. Completion of laboratory assignments
Means of assessment

The course evaluation will be consistent with Douglas College evaluation policy.  An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.

Midterm Exam – 20-30%

Quizzes – 10-20%

Proficiency Tests - 0-10%

Assignments - 10-20% 

Final Exam – 20-30%

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 

  1. Describe the general history and development of fitting methods for linear hearing aids
  2. Define the elements of today’s fitting methods based on compression signal processing
  3. Discuss differences in philosophy and objectives among the various popular fitting methods
  4. Compare the targets of today’s most popular fitting methods, for example, NAL-NL1, NAL-NL2 and DSL5
  5. Modify hearing aid fitting method targets so as to best match the particular needs of the individual client
  6. Explain the basic principles of old versus new real ear measurement (REM) as methods of fitting verification
  7. Integrate predictions made by fitting software with subsequent verification by REM
  8. Synthesize audiometric findings, psych-social profiles, fitting methods, verification measures, and validation scales
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for required materials.

Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for HEAR 2111
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025