Probe Microphone Measurement
An objective verification procedure that uses a thin tube inserted into the ear canal to measure the actual sound pressure level produced by a hearing aid at the eardrum.
Full Definition
Probe microphone measurement (PMM) is the gold-standard method for verifying that a hearing aid is delivering the prescribed amount of amplification at the tympanic membrane. A thin silicone tube with a miniature microphone at its tip is placed alongside the hearing aid in the ear canal, allowing real-time measurement of the aided signal. Editors will encounter this term in verification and validation sections of audiology reports and research articles. It is closely related to, but editorially distinct from, real-ear measurement (REM), which is the broader procedural category of which PMM is a component. The term 'probe microphone' should not be hyphenated when used as a noun phrase.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'coupler measurement,' which is performed on a standardized cavity, not in the patient's ear. PMM is the preferred abbreviation in many journals; confirm house style on first use.
In Context
- "Probe microphone measurement confirmed that the prescribed targets were met within 5 dB across all test frequencies." — Hearing aid verification report
- "The guidelines recommend probe microphone measurement as a mandatory step in pediatric hearing aid fitting." — Clinical practice guideline