For most people both ears rarely have the same exact degree of hearing loss. Because one ear normally has worse hearing loss than the other, it raises the question: Can I just get one hearing aid for the ear that’s worse.
One hearing aid, in most cases, will not be better than two. But there are some instances, considerably less common instances, however, in which one hearing aid may be the right choice.
It’s Not accidental That Ears Come in a Pair
Your ears effectively function as a pair whether you’re aware of it or not. Which means that there are some benefits to wearing two hearing aids.
- Being Able to Localize Correctly: In order to figure out where sounds are coming from, your brain is not only working to interpret but also to place it. So that you can properly triangulate where sound is coming from, your brain needs signals from both ears. It is much more difficult to figure out where sounds are coming from when you can only hear well out of one ear (which might be crucial if you happen to live near a busy street, for example).
- Focusing on Conversations: If you use a hearing aid, the whole point is to assist you in hearing. Other people talking is something you will certainly need to hear. Using two hearing aids permits your brain to better tune out background noises. Because your mind has more available data your brain is able to figure out what is closer and therefore more likely to be something you want to focus on.
- Modern Hearing Aids Work Together: More recent hearing aid technology is designed to work as a pair in the same way as your ears are. The two hearing aids communicate with one another using state-of-the-art features and artificial intelligence to, similar to your brain, identify which sounds to amplify and focus on.
- Make The Health of Your Ears Better: An unused sense will atrophy in the same way as an unused muscle will. If your ears go for long periods without input signals, your hearing can begin to go downhill. Get the organs of your ears the input they require to maintain your hearing by using two hearing aids. Wearing two hearing aids can also help minimize tinnitus (if you have it) and increase your ability to identify sounds.
Is One Hearing Practical in Certain Circumstances?
In the majority of cases, wearing a pair of hearing aids is the smarter choice. But the question is raised: why would somebody wear a hearing aid in just one ear?
Well, usually there are two reasons:
- Financial concerns: Some individuals think if they can get by with just one they will save money. Purchasing one hearing aid is better then not getting any at all if you can’t really afford a pair. Still, you should understand that with time untreated hearing loss has been verified to increase your overall healthcare expenses. Even disregarding hearing loss for two years has been shown to increase your healthcare costs by 26 percent, and ignoring any hearing loss in one ear can elevate your risks for things like falling. So in order to discover if wearing one hearing aid is right for you, talk to a hearing care specialist. Discovering ways to help make hearing aids more affordable is an additional service we offer.
- One Ear Still Has Perfect Hearing: If just one of your ears needs a hearing aid, then you could be best served by using a hearing aid in just one ear but it’s certainly something you should talk to your hearing professional about (having one better ear is not the same thing as having one perfect ear).
One Hearing Aid is Not as Beneficial as Two
In most situations, however, two hearing aids will be better for your ears and your hearing than only one. There are just too many advantages to having strong hearing in both ears to dismiss. So, yes, in most cases, two hearing aids are a better choice than one (just as two ears are better than one). Make an appointment with a hearing care professional to have your hearing examined.
