A common question when it comes to hearing aids is whether you can wear one hearing aid instead of two. In most cases, the answer is no. You might be confused as to why especially if your hearing is worse in one ear than it is in the other. Let’s examine some of the reasons why two hearing aids are better than one.
Benefits of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids give you the ability to experience the world more fully and engage with the world in a way that you couldn’t if you left your hearing loss untreated. Some benefits of hearing aids include:
- Improved mental health and decreased feelings of depression, anger and anxiety
- Lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia
- Less isolation
- Improved ability to focus
- Being able to communicate better with loved ones, leading to better relationships
These benefits can be best experienced by using two hearing aids.
Binaural Hearing is Best
Binaural hearing, or hearing with both ears, is more stimulating for the brain and provides more data than hearing solely or primarily with one ear. Good stimulation keeps your brain active. Too little stimulation between the unaided ear and the brain can cause the connection between the two to weaken. This can make it more difficult to process information.
On the other hand, the brain needing to work too hard to comprehend sound isn’t good either. If you’re only using one hearing aid you are putting more of a burden on your brain to fill in the gaps when you miss certain words or sounds. This can leave you feeling depressed, frustrated and anxious.
Easier to Distinguish Voices and Locate Sound
Two hearing aids make it much easier to understand speech and distinguish between sounds. Processing sound through both ears also allows you to better tell what location the sound is coming from. Research has shown that in situations where there is background noise or multiple people speaking, being able to locate where sound is coming from is vital. Being unable to do so puts listeners at a social and sometimes professional disadvantage.
Being able to follow what is being said in a work meeting, or during a conversation with friends at Bistro 31 makes your life easier and more enjoyable.
Less Amplification Needed
Using two hearing aids means you can use less amplification than if you only use one. This makes loud sounds more comfortable and less stressful to hear. It can also help conserve the battery life of your device.
Make sure you are getting all you can out of your hearing aids by always wearing two instead of one.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Total Hearing Care of Dallas today.
