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Hearing
with both ears
Binaural
hearing (hearing with both ears) allows you to make fine judgements
about sound and to listen selectively to one of several sounds.  Most
audiologists and other hearing experts agree that because gradual hearing
loss typically occurs in both ears, it makes sense to fit both ears
with hearing instruments. Think of it this way — to correct a vision
problem in both eyes, would you wear eyeglasses with only one lens?
Enjoy
these advantages when you hear well 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 and enjoy listening to a full range of sound.
Better
speech comprehension
Balanced hearing with both ears may improve your ability to disregard
background sounds and more clearly understand close-up speech.
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."
For more
information about hearing loss and hearing aid help, please contact
us at 1-800-866-6240 or email us.
Other
hearing aid articles
A
primer on hearing aids
Selecting a hearing aid
Selecting a digital hearing aid
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