One Hearing Aid or two?
The Benefits of wearing Two Hearing Aids.
Better Hearing in Noise
When listening with two ears we are better able to process speech in the presence of background noise than we can when listening with just one ear.
When listening with two ears our brains can integrate the sounds more effectively for greater listening benefit.
Improved ability to locate sounds
We determine the location of sounds by hearing the differences in loudness of sounds reaching the two ears.
Also, ability to locate sounds is determined by differences in the ‘time of arrival’ of sounds reaching both ears and differences in frequency or pitch cues.
The brain can take advantage of these differences only if there is equal hearing in both ears.
In a group of people, localisation allows you to tell 'where' someone is talking to you from.
More balanced hearing
Wearing two aids gives you a better sense of balance of sound and more natural sound quality.
No need to turn your head (or good ear) to focus on the speaker
Wearing two hearing aids (where needed) gives 'all round' sound so there is no need to turn your ‘better ear’ to the speaker – this allows you to relax more and reduces the possibility of neck or muscle tension.
Less strain and fatigue
Reduced risk of auditory deprivation
Wearing two aids provides equal balanced stimulation of the auditory system, reducing the risk of auditory deprivation of the unaided ear.
Research shows that consumers with hearing loss in both ears demonstrate greater benefit wearing two hearing aids are more satisfied than those fitted with just one aid.
One hearing aid may be suitable if you;
*Have a hearing loss in one ear only.
(this would first need to be investigated by an Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant)
*You have one ear which is not suitable for wearing a hearing aid for medical reasons. (For example - a chronically discharging ear).
* Total hearing loss in one ear.
A CROS aid may be more suitable – a CROS aid picks up the sound from the side with a hearing loss from a microphone positioned on the poor ear and transmits this sound via a wire or FM system arrangement into the better ear.
A Bi CROS is a similar arrangement but also provides amplification for the better ear if a hearing loss is present in the better ear.
Other people may choose to have just one aid because they feel more comfortable wearing one aid and find it easier to accept.
Also, for financial reasons, people may choose to wear one aid. In this case, if a hearing loss exists in both ears I would suggest a pair of middle, high quality technology range aids in preference to one premium technology aid.
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