One or two hearing aids?

Enhanced Hearing with Dual Hearing Aids

Better Sound Quality with Two Hearing Aids
Wearing two hearing aids instead of just one can reduce the need for gain by 2-8 dB, which significantly minimizes feedback issues like squealing. This lower gain requirement enhances overall sound quality and comfort.

Preventing Hearing Loss
For clients with symmetric hearing loss, using only one hearing aid can gradually diminish speech comprehension in the unaided ear due to reduced brain stimulation. Consistent auditory input is crucial to maintain the brain’s ability to process sounds effectively.

Localization Advantages
Using two hearing aids helps in accurately localizing sounds, mimicking the natural ability of those with normal hearing. This is achieved by the brain’s capacity to detect differences in sound loudness and the time it takes for sound to reach each ear:

• Loudness: High-pitched sounds can lose up to 15 dB when crossing from one side of the head to the other.
• Timing: Sounds reach one ear quicker than the other, helping pinpoint their origin.

Improved Speech Recognition in Noise
Dual hearing aids merge sounds, making speech appear at least 3 dB louder than background noise, thus enhancing speech clarity in noisy environments by up to 20%. This effect is similar to the improved auditory experience provided by using both sides of headphones.

Interconnectivity Between Hearing Aids
Modern hearing aids can wirelessly exchange full audio signals, allowing them to better focus on speech sources. This connectivity significantly boosts speech understanding in noisy settings.