Why Are Two Hearing Aids Better Than One

The truth is, we don’t even hear in our ears. Actually, we “hear” in our brains which processes to two ears. Hearing with two ears is called binaural hearing. Binaural means “two together”. Sound localization is very dependable for both of our ears. For example, when we hear something in the distance such as a car approaching, nature tells us which direction it’s coming from. Isn’t it so hard to understand what is being said in noisy places? When we are surrounded with many different sounds, hearing with both ears enables us to hear the message being sent. Approximately, 80 percent of people who have hearing loss have it in both ears. Still, people only wear one hearing aid. Amplifying only one ear when both ears have hearing loss can you put you at a big disadvantage. However, with two hearing aids, your life could just get a whole lot better!

You will have a better understanding of speech and others will understand your speech better. By wearing two hearing aids, listening is easier. Your brain can focus on the conversation that you are trying to listen to. Research has shown that people who wear two hearing aids, instead of one, understand speech and conversations much better. Binaural amplification will deliver more of the sounds you need. Then, your brain can process the sounds correctly. This makes it easier and more comfortable to be able to understand in certain situations. A lot of words and noises sound alike. But, with two hearing aids, sounds are more easily recognized and known. When in noisy situations, your speech will be improved when wearing two hearing aids.

You will have better sound quality and a better ability to tell the direction of the sound. Whenever you listen to a stereo or ipod, you use two speakers or ear phones. This gives you the smoothest, sharpest, most natural sound quality. The same is said for hearing aids. By wearing two hearing aids, you increase your hearing magnificently! Instead of 180 degrees reception, you get 360 degrees. This will provide a better sense of balance and sound quality. The better ability to tell the direction in which the sound is coming from is called localization. For example, in a social gathering, localization would allow you to hear from the direction that someone is speaking to you. If you were to step out in front of a car, you would be able to localize which way it is coming from. That could save your life! With binaural hearing, you will be able to sense better where sounds are coming from.

Research has shown that when you only wear one hearing aid, the ear that doesn’t have a hearing aid loses its ability to hear and understand as well. By wearing hearing aids in both ears, it will keep both ears active. Hearing will be less tiring and listening will be made pleasant. Binaural hearing aid wearers have reported that listening and participating in conversations is more pleasant with two hearing aids. Usually when you wear one hearing aid, you are straining to hear with your better ear. But, when you wear hearing aids in both ears, you won’t have to strain as much anymore. Also, you will turn the volume down on the hearing aids when you have two of them. It also causes a better reproduction of the amplified sounds.

You will have a wider hearing range. A person is able to hear sounds from a farther distance with two ears better than just one. Say, a voice that’s barely heard at 10 feet away with one ear can be heard up to 40 feet with two ears. Two-eared hearing results in a feeling of a balanced sound. Research shows that generally, people are more satisfied when wearing hearing aids binaurally than the people that wear only one.
In conclusion, wearing hearing aids binaurally can improve your hearing and lifestyle a lot! Hearing with one ear is like trying to see with one eye. Its possible, but not as effective. You won’t have to strain one ear all the time constantly, your speech will improve, you’ll be more satisfied and you’ll hear better. Binaural hearing is the way to go.