When it comes to hearing aids, two are always better than one. This is true whether your hearing loss affects both ears equally or is worse in one ear. Let’s examine some of the ways two hearing aids help you hear better.
Benefits of Two Hearing Aids 
Better Sound Quality
Wearing two hearing aids makes sounds clearer and improves your listening range. This helps you to better follow conversations in social settings, especially if it is somewhere with a decent amount of background noise, like a crowded restaurant or a Cardinals game at State Farm Stadium.
With better sound quality also comes better sound distinction. Only using one hearing aid can cause different noises and words to sound alike. This makes it tougher to distinguish between different voices.
Sound Direction and Head Shadow Effect
With two hearing aids, you will be able to identify what direction sound is coming from. This is not only helpful during social interactions but can also make you safer. Knowing where sirens are coming from in relation to your car, for example, allows you to know when to pull over and allow the ambulance to pass and tend to an emergency.
The reason we can distinguish where sounds are coming from is because of binaural hearing, the ability to hear in two ears. When one ear loses the ability to hear or has diminished ability compared to the other ear, any sound coming from the direction near the affected ear must pass through the head to get to the functioning ear on the other side. This is known as the head shadow effect.
If you suffer from hearing loss but are only wearing one hearing aid, you will be at a disadvantage every time an important sound comes from the side of the unaided ear.
Better Brain Stimulation
When your brain is getting equal input of sound from both ears it is less likely to suffer from auditory deprivation. Auditory deprivation is what happens when your brain is deprived of sound. If left untreated it can lead to difficulty processing and deciphering different sounds. Once it has started, the difficulty can continue even if a person begins to wear hearing aids. Though improvement is also possible.
Overall, wearing hearing aids in each ear means your brain does not need to work as hard to hear. This makes it less tiring and gives you a more satisfying hearing experience than only using a hearing aid in one ear.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Arizona Desert ENT Specialists today.
