Why not just use average RECD data instead of measuring the RECD?
Although age-related RECD averages exist, repeated studies of RECD results in children (Feigin, et al, 1989; Bagatto, et al, 2002) have indicated that inter-subject RECD variability is high across age. Individual variability of measured RECD values ranges from 10-14 dB across frequencies for all ages studied. A 10-14 dB difference between an average RECD value and an individually measured response could mean the difference between audibility and no audibility of speech sounds for some children. It could also mean the difference between a safe versus an excessive real ear saturation response level. Age-related averages do not take into account the unique characteristics of an individual earmold such as canal length, tightness of fit, or venting, which all can affect the real ear response. In addition, previous average data has been grouped into 12-month age categories. Therefore, the average RECD for a 4 month-old would be the same as the average RECD for an 11 month-old. More recent da
