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Should One Wear One Hearing Aid OR Two Aids? One On Each Ear?

Whether One Should Wear Unilateral or Bilateral Hearing Aids for the User Having Hearing Loss in Both Ears?

  • “One is less than Half” – Contrary to what you may think, one ear working less effectively than the other can have a significant impact on your daily activities. Hearing with one ear is like trying to see with one eye – it’s possible, but not as effective.

  • “Nature Has A Way With Two” Like two legs, two wings, and two eyes nature has equipped the animal kingdom with a balanced pair of ears for reasons very important to their existence.

  • “Now that’s what is called using your head!” Although our ears are certainly vital, our sense of ‘hearing’ actually occurs in between. Taking the input from both ears, the ‘built – in signal processor’ known as your brain blends these signals into a single sound “picture”. To enjoy true balanced sound perception, BOTH ears must be functioning evenly. Without such equality, our brain presents us with incomplete information. To prevent this, your hearing professional may recommended you to wear two hearing aids. Our two ear working together give us the ability to “cut through” or isolate one specific sound over others.

  • “Localization” Correcting this difference can be important to your safety. Balanced hearing is vital to our ability to locate where a sound is coming from. Our brain instinctively locates a sound source by measuring the tiny differences in duration and intensity between each ear.

  • “Relaxing, Stress- Less Hearing” With both ears providing even input, less amplification may be required to achieve a comfortable listening level. And you don’t need to worry about always getting your ‘good ear’ turned towards sounds.

The brain is wired to receive input from both ears; Research supports binaural amplification, that is amplification from both ears reaching your brain to be able to discriminate the sound that is heard. Wearing hearing aids on both ears, needs less power, allows better understanding of speech under different circumstances – especially in presence of noise, gives much better depth of sound perception, offers safety, with better directionality get better idea of – where warning sounds are coming from, enjoy clear sound quality, enjoy better life quality. The final decision for the same is based on the degree, type of hearing loss and communication needs of the User.

10 Reasons why you should wear TWO hearing instruments.

Better understanding in noisy places.

  • By wearing 2 hearing instruments, rather than one, selective listening is more easily achieved. This means your brain can focus on the conversation you want to hear and ignore the unwanted background noise more easily.

Binaural hearing allows you to better identify the direction of sound.

  • This is called localisation. In a social gathering, for example, localisation allows you to hear from which direction someone is speaking to you. Also, localisation helps you determine from which direction traffic is coming or where your children or grandchildren are playing. Simply put, with binaural hearing, you will better detect where sounds are coming from in every situation.

Binaural hearing creates better sound quality

  • When you listen to a stereo system, you use both the speakers to get the smoothest sharpest more natural sound quality. The same can be said of hearing instruments. By wearing two hearing instruments, you can increase your hearing range from 180 degrees reception with just one instrument to 360 degrees. This greater range provides a better sense of balance and sound quality.

Binaural hearing creates smoother tone quality.

  • Wearing two hearing instruments generally requires less volume than one. This results in less distortion and better reproduction of amplified sounds.

Binaural hearing creates a wider hearing range.

  • Its true. A person can hear sounds from a further distance with two ears, rather than just one. A voice that’s barely heard at 10 feet with one ear can be heard up to 40 feet with two ears. 

Binaural hearing allows better sound identification.

  • Often, with just one hearing instrument, many noises and words sound alike. But with 2 hearing instruments, as with two ears, sounds are more easily distinguishable.

Binaural hearing keeps both of your ears active.

  • Research has shown that when only one hearing instrument is worn, the unaided ear tends to lose its ability to hear and understand. Where those wearing two hearing instruments keep both ears active.

Binaural hearing is less tiring

  • Binaural hearing is less tiring and therefore makes listening a more pleasant experience. Many binaural hearing aid wearers report that listening and participating in conservation is more enjoyable with two instruments instead of just one. Thus, Binaural hearing can help make life more relaxing.

Binaural hearing creates a feeling of balance

  • Two-eared hearing results in a feeling of balanced reception of sound, also known as the stereo effect. Whereas monaural hearing creates an unusual feeling of sounds being heard in one ear.

Binaural hearing instruments are more comfortable when loud noises occur

  • A lower volume control setting is required with each of two hearing instruments than with just one hearing instrument, resulting in better tolerance of loud sounds.

Psychological Consequences of Hearing Loss?

  • Hearing Aid Improves your Quality of life, Social Life-Relations, Reduces Miscommunications. Depending on the type and degree of loss one must decide the type of aid to buy. The most important factor to be considered prior to hearing aid purchase are the communication requirements of the User.

  • Some people can develop emotional or social difficulties due to their hearing loss. The inability to understand what is being said can lead to isolation, loneliness or depression. It can therefore mean a great deal if the people around them are supportive and encourage them to seek professional advice if necessary.

  • Some people with a hearing loss struggle with a feeling of embarrassment if they misunderstand what is being said or respond inappropriately. Your support and understanding in such cases can make a big difference.

  • People with hearing difficulties often spend a great deal of their energy just in concentrating on listening, which can lead to tiredness and stress. So it is important that others are equally understanding, for example colleagues and management at their workplace.