Hearing Aids - Hearing in Both Ears
Binaural hearing (hearing with
both ears) allows you to make fine judgments about sound and
to listen selectively to one of several sounds. Most Hearing
Professionals agree that because gradual hearing loss typically
occurs in both ears, it makes sense to fit both ears with hearing
aids. Think of it this way — to
correct a vision problem in both eyes, would you wear eyeglasses
with only one lens?
These are the advantages when you hear with both ears:
Localized
sound
Localization, or the ability to detect the direction and
distance of sound, can only be achieved with two ears. The sound
of a truck, for example, will reach the ear it is closest to a few micro-seconds
earlier, and at a higher intensity, than the opposite ear. These
minute difference in the signal transmitted to the brain by each ear enable
you to identify the direction from which the truck is coming. If you are
only hearing correctly with one ear, information will not be accurately
transmitted to the brain.
Balanced hearing
Hearing with two ears may help you more
accurately and confidently respond to sounds (like conversation)
on your left or right side. This balanced hearing helps you
relax, enjoy listening to a full range of sound in “stereo”,
and reduces the stress that would occur with just listening
with one ear.
Better speech comprehension
Balanced hearing with both
ears may improve your ability to disregard background sounds
and more clearly understand close-up speech. When the brain receives sounds
from both ears, it is able to choose specific sounds to focus on (speech)
while paying less attention to others (noise). With only one good ear,
the brain has to work harder to focus on speech and this can lead to misunderstandings
and fatigue.
Improved sound quality
Hearing with both ears may
provide you with more natural sound quality, helping you to
hear correctly and respond appropriately to the world around
you. With both ears providing even input, less amplification
may be required to achieve a comfortable listening level. And
you don't need to worry about always getting your "good
ear" turned towards sounds.
Auditory deprivation
Auditory deprivation
means that further deterioration of hearing, when hearing loss
already exists, occurs at a faster rate in an ear without stimulation
that it occurs in an ear with stimulation (usage of a hearing
aid). In other words, the lack of stimulation to those frequencies
with hearing loss actually allows hearing to further decrease.
This is best understood by the theory "Use
it or lose it."
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Hearing Aids
