One vs. Two Hearing Aids

I have been told I should purchase two hearing aids for my hearing loss. Do I really need to start with two hearing aids or would one for my worse ear be adequate?

If two hearing aids have been recommended to you by your hearing professional why settle for just one?

There is ample research to support that people with hearing loss are more successful with hearing aids when two hearing aids are worn versus just one, as well as demonstrating some major disadvantages when only one hearing aid is worn.

Just as our brain is wired to receive visual input through two eyes to enhance our vision, same is true for our hearing. Our brain processes sound from both ears to allow an enhanced listening experience and when the brain only receives input from one ear, enhanced hearing abilities are lost.

Some benefits of wearing two hearing aids include: 

• Better localization – the ability to tell where sounds are coming from
• Better hearing in background noise 
• Better sound quality (“mono” versus “stereo”)
• Better hearing for soft sounds such as children’s voices and sounds of nature
• Less strain on you while listening - with only one hearing aid you may often strain to hear various sounds and become fatigued, with two hearing aids listening is more relaxed
• Listening balance – you won’t be turning your “good” ear to hear.
• Higher success and satisfaction - studies indicate people who wear two hearing aids are much more satisfied with their hearing aids.

People often think getting used to hearing aids will be easier if you wear only one hearing aid. As you can see it will actually be more difficult and your hearing will not improve as much as it would with two hearing aids.

Follow the advice of your hearing professional and purchase two hearing aids. That extra investment will pay off.

Carolyn Smaka Au.D. Associate Editor, Healthy Hearing

reprinted from healthyhearing.com