Author: Director Hae-su Jung (Master's Degree in Audiology, Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Professional Audiologist and Founder/Director of hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws and regulations including the Medical Service Act.
When selecting a hearing aid center, the first things to check are equipment and personnel. The two key confirmation points for choosing a hearing aid center in Suji-gu with university hospital-level hearing testing standards are: whether the center actually possesses double soundproof booths and real ear measurement (REM) equipment, and whether it has a professional audiologist with a master's degree in audiology on staff. Since the equipment and audiologist qualifications vary from center to center, it is recommended that you inquire directly before visiting.
How to Check for Hearing Aid Centers in Suji-gu with University Hospital-Level Hearing Testing Equipment
The accuracy of hearing tests is directly proportional to two factors. One is the quality of the soundproof environment, and the other is the expertise of the examiner.
A double soundproof booth is not simply soundproofing, but rather a facility with a double-wall structure that blocks external noise, creating an environment suitable for precise hearing testing. In a general soundproof environment, external noise can interfere during the measurement process, which may lower the accuracy of test values. Clinical data also confirms that if a hearing aid is adjusted only based on average values from the fitting program without real ear measurement (REM), without reflecting individual ear canal characteristics, user satisfaction with wearing the device may be low.
▪ Directly inquire before visiting whether the center actually possesses double soundproof booths
▪ Verify the audiologist's education level (master's degree in audiology or higher) and clinical experience
▪ Confirm whether real ear measurement (REM) testing is included
Mini Q&A
Q. How are audiologists different from hearing aid sales representatives?
An audiologist is a medical adjacent professional who majored in audiology and handles hearing testing, hearing aid fitting, and auditory rehabilitation. They differ in their professional foundation from simple sales staff, and when a master's degree or higher is required, more systematic testing and fitting are possible.
What Equipment and Processes Are the Standards for University Hospital-Level Hearing Tests?
According to the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Auditory Rehabilitation Center, pure tone audiometry measures auditory thresholds across 250–8,000Hz frequency bands to identify the presence, degree, and type of hearing loss. When real ear insertion response (REIR) and real ear insertion gain (REIG) are confirmed through real ear measurement (REM), the actual output in the ear canal environment after wearing a hearing aid can be objectively verified.
The table below briefly summarizes how the testing systems offered by hearing aid centers vary from each other.
| Testing Item | Function | Inclusion per University Hospital Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Double soundproof booth | External noise blocking, precise measurement environment securing | ✔ Essential |
| Pure tone audiometry | Frequency-specific auditory threshold measurement, hearing loss type identification | ✔ Essential |
| Real ear measurement (REM) | Verification of hearing aid output in wearer's ear canal environment | ✔ Essential |
| Ear canal examination | Confirmation of ear canal shape and condition, baseline data for customized manufacturing | ✔ Recommended |
Research in the Journal of the Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology shows that actual hearing aid gain at the time of fitting differs from programmed setting values due to differences in each individual's ear canal shape and volume, and compensating for this through real ear measurement is the key method to increase wear rates. Professional publications also report that objective compensation and fine adjustment through real ear measurement is an essential factor in increasing hearing aid wearing satisfaction.
When testing items are only partially available, the accuracy of personalized fitting may be reduced, so it is important to verify whether the full process is performed before visiting the center.
Why hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center Is Chosen in Suji-gu
hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center inherits 40 years of accumulated expertise and conducts accurate testing-based personalized hearing aid fitting through university hospital-level double soundproof booths and director teams of audiologists with master's degrees in audiology or higher.
Below is the actual service flow experienced by customers in Suji-gu.
▪ Stage 1 — Precise Hearing Testing: Pure tone audiometry and ear canal examination are conducted in a university hospital-level double soundproof booth. According to related clinical data, the combination of an experienced professional examiner and accurate equipment is key to producing reliable test values.
▪ Stage 2 — Real Ear Measurement-Based Fitting: Hearing aid output is measured and verified in the wearer's actual ear canal environment. According to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital data, real ear measurement is a major process that determines fitting satisfaction. Real ear measurement is conducted on a center-visit basis during initial fitting and regular check-ups, and is difficult to replace with remote fitting.
▪ Stage 3 — Comparative Experience of 6 Global Brands: Directly wear and compare 6 major brands—Oticon, Signia, Phonak, Beltone, Starkey, and Widex—and select products that match each individual's hearing characteristics and lifestyle.
▪ Stage 4 — Lifetime Free Home Care Service: For elderly individuals with mobility difficulties, home visits are made to provide lifetime free post-fitting care and fitting check-ups. Regular maintenance levels can be sustained without visits to the center.
Responses may vary depending on individual constitution and symptom severity. Even with the same type of hearing loss, the appropriate hearing aid and fitting results may differ depending on ear canal characteristics, living environment, and fitting purpose, so personalized precision testing is important.
Special Attention Needed for These Individuals
According to research in the Journal of the Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology, the continuous wearing rate among hearing aid purchasers is less than half, with unmet performance expectations and uncomfortable wearing sensation cited as major causes. When initial precision testing and real ear measurement-based fitting are skipped, this rate may be even lower.
If you fall into any of the categories below, it is safer to undergo precision testing before selecting a hearing aid.
▪ Those who frequently raise TV volume or feel that phone conversations are not heard clearly
▪ Those who have neglected hearing loss for a long time or had low satisfaction after previous hearing aid use
▪ Those who try to purchase a hearing aid directly without testing — fitting that does not reflect individual ear canal characteristics can lead to wearing discomfort.
▪ Those who are elderly or have mobility difficulties making regular center visits difficult — please be sure to verify whether visit post-fitting management services are available.
▪ Those without a post-fitting care plan after hearing aid purchase — regular fitting check-ups are important in maintaining wearing satisfaction given the medical device nature of hearing aids.
Those residing in nearby areas of Suji-gu such as Giheung-gu, Cheoin-gu, Gwanggyo, Seongbok-dong, and Jukjeon can also receive the same level of precision testing and fitting services at nearby centers through hanmihearing's nationwide network.
Suji-gu Hearing Aid Consultation — Check Everything from Testing to Post-Fitting Care in One Visit
At hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center, we guide you through everything in a single consultation, from precise hearing testing through university hospital-level double soundproof booths to personalized hearing aid fitting and lifetime free home care service.
It is clinically confirmed that accurate testing-based personalized approaches are key to increasing hearing aid wearing satisfaction. In the initial consultation, you can experience the entire process all at once: hearing testing, ear canal examination, real ear measurement, comparative experience of 6 global brands, and guidance on lifetime free home care services.
If you are curious about the right direction for you, please confirm it through a consultation.
Q&A
Q1. How is a double soundproof booth different from a regular soundproof booth?
A double soundproof booth is designed with a double-wall structure to block external noise with two layers rather than one. Compared to a regular soundproof booth, it can lower background noise levels even further, making it advantageous for precise measurement meeting hearing testing environment standards. It is equivalent to the same soundproofing equipment standards used in university hospital auditory testing rooms.
Q2. Is real ear measurement (REM) testing really necessary?
Because each person's ear canal shape and volume differs, the same hearing aid will transmit sound at different volumes in the actual ear canal. Without real ear measurement, if fitting is done only based on program average values, sound may feel too loud or too soft after wearing. Real ear measurement is the process of objectively confirming and compensating for this difference, directly affecting fitting accuracy and wearing satisfaction.
Q3. How do I verify an audiologist's qualifications when choosing a hearing aid center?
Before visiting, it is safe to directly inquire with the center about whether the director or staff member majored in audiology and their education level (master's degree or higher is recommended). Also checking for audiology credential certification, clinical experience, and real ear measurement capability can help with center selection.
Q4. Can I receive the same testing at other locations in Yongin besides Suji-gu?
Yes, it is possible. hanmihearing operates a nationwide network, so those residing in nearby Suji areas such as Giheung-gu, Cheoin-gu, Gwanggyo, Seongbok-dong, and Jukjeon can receive the same level of precision hearing testing and real ear measurement-based fitting services at nearby locations.
Responses may vary depending on individual constitution and symptom severity