Verifit
®
User's Guide Version 3.12

November 2015
difference between the earmold measured on the RECD transducer and the average earmold that was
subtracted
RECD facts
Individual RECD values are derived by comparing the SPL produced by a sound source in the closed ear canal
to that produced by the same sound source in a 2cc coupler. It is commonly assumed that the RECD so
measured is a property of the individual ear and is independent of the sound source used to obtain it, making it
useful for (1) converting HL threshold and UCL obtained using insert phones to SPL values, (2) simulating real
ear measurements from 2cc coupler measures (test box); and (3) deriving 2cc coupler targets from real-ear aided
targets. However, this assumption is true, only if the acoustic impedance of the sound source is significantly
higher than the acoustic impedance of the ear canal or the coupler. This is the case for RIC, ITE, and ITC
hearing aids and is approximately true for insert earphones with the supplied foam tips. The acoustic impedance
of insert earphones drops if the foam tip is replaced by an earmold or the tubing that forms part of the HA-2
coupler. At some frequencies, for BTE hearing aids with their earhooks and earmold tubing (or the HA-2
coupler tubing), the acoustic impedance approaches that of an adult ear and falls below that of a child's ear.
Each of these sound sources will produce a different RECD and, if the acoustic impedance of the sound source
differs for the ear canal and 2cc coupler measurements, further RECD differences will result.
Audioscan uses the HA-2 (BTE) coupler for the transducer calibration, then our RECD transducer and either a
foam eartip or the client's personal earmold for the real ear measurement. When a foam tip is used, we subtract
the two measurements to get an HA-1 RECD. When an earmold is used on the ear measurement we first subtract
an average earmold (referenced to our RECD transducer) to obtain an HA-1 RECD, then we add the same
average earmold (referenced to an ER3A) to obtain an HA-2 RECD with earmold effects retained.
When the entered HL transducer is Insert + foam, we apply an HA-1 foam tip RECD during the HL-to-SPL
transform to correct the thresholds measured in a non-average ear canal. When the HL transducer is Insert +
Mold we apply the HA-2 referenced RECD with earmold effects retained to the HL-to-SPL transform.
In Test-box Speechmap (simulated REM) we apply the HA-1 RECD to the coupler measurment for ITE, ITC,
CIC, RIC instruments, and also to BTE instruments when BTE + mold has been selected (and personal earmold
used in the measurement). When the instrument type is set to BTE (HA-2) the HA-2 referenced RECD is
applied.
RECD values and are stored, displayed, and printed referenced to the HA-1 coupler. Imported data from
software versions 3.10.39 and earlier will be HA-2 referenced and will be converted to HA-1 referenced data for
use, storage, and display. Subsequent printing, saving, or export will show the converted HA-1 referenced values
only.
If you use insert ear phones for audiometry OR if you verify using the test box, you should measure RECD
(preferred) or use age-related average RECD.
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