No one looks forward to the day that they need to rely on a hearing aid to navigate the world around them. And if your audiologist recommends not one, but two devices, you might feel a bit caught off guard. You may be wondering, “Do I really need two?”
If you only have hearing loss in one ear, you may be able to get away with wearing one hearing aid. But the reality is that most people experience some degree of hearing loss in both ears, especially if it’s age-related hearing loss. It may be tempting to save money and only purchase one hearing aid, but you likely won’t be as satisfied with the results. After all, your auditory system is designed for binaural listening – or listening with both of your ears.
The Benefits of Two Hearing Aids
For most people, wearing two hearing aids can provide significant benefits. Let’s explore some of the reasons why two hearing aids are better than one.
A Full Listening Experience
Our brains are naturally able to hear in “stereo,” which is much fuller, richer, and more distinct than hearing in “mono.” However, to hear this way, your brain needs input from both ears. If you need two hearing aids and only use one, your brain is not able to receive the complete input needed for a full listening experience.
Give Your Brain Better Information
Just as you have two ears, there are two sides of your brain, and they work together to help you hear. Each of your ears sends different signals to your brain that allow you to understand what you’re hearing. This is a complex system, and your brain may struggle to process the sounds you’re hearing if you only wear one hearing aid but need two.
Better Word Recognition and Clearer Speech
One of the biggest advantages of wearing two hearing aids instead of one is better word recognition. You may be able to hear speech with just one hearing aid, but it probably won’t be as clear. With two hearing aids, you’ll be able to hear and participate in conversations with your loved ones. That’s what better hearing is all about!
Better Noise Reduction
Did you know that your brain has built-in noise reduction? This capability is more effective when your brain receives information from both of your ears. If you only wear one hearing aid, you’ll likely hear more “background noise.”
Less Amplification Needed
When you wear two hearing aids, you can keep them set at a lower volume and still hear well. If you wear one hearing aid when you would be better off with two, you’ll need to crank up the volume to a potentially uncomfortable level to compensate for the hearing loss in your other ear. This is why some hearing aid wearers complain that sounds are too loud.
Detect Sound Direction
Each of your ears sends signals to your brain so that you can identify where sounds are coming from. This is especially important in group settings so that you can identify who is speaking. Being able to identify sound direction is also important for safety. For example, hearing well with both ears allows you to know which direction traffic is coming from.
There are other benefits to wearing two hearing aids, but these are the main ones. Studies have shown that, overall, individuals who opt to wear two hearing aids when needed are more satisfied than those who just wear one. And many people say that once they’ve tried two hearing aids, they would never go back to one! If your audiologist recommends two hearing aids, it’s for a reason.
Hearing Aids and Professional Hearing Care in Brampton, Ontario
If you’re considering seeking treatment for hearing loss, keep in mind that your journey extends beyond simply getting fitted for hearing aids. At Brampton Hearing Aid Services, we are your partners for ongoing support, maintenance, cleanings, and repairs. Our team is dedicated to helping you hear better for years to come.
If you’re ready to take the next step to find your ideal hearing solution, call our office at (905) 791-2203. Or request a callback, and a member of our team will be in touch with you!
