For most people both ears rarely have the same exact amount of hearing loss. Because one ear usually has worse hearing loss than the other, it raises the question: Can I just use one hearing aid in the ear that’s worse.

One hearing aid, in many cases, will not be preferable to two. But there are some instances, dramatically less common instances, however, in which one hearing aid may be the right choice.

You Have A Pair of Ears For a Reason

Whether you’re aware of it or not, your ears effectively function as a pair. Which means that there are certain advantages to using two hearing aids.

• Being Able to Localize Correctly: Your brain is always doing work, not only to understand sounds but to place them so that you can determine where they’re coming from. So that you can correctly triangulate where sound is coming from, your brain needs signals from both ears. It is a lot harder to figure out where sounds are coming from when you’re only able to hear well out of one ear (Which may come in handy, for example, if you live next to a busy street).
• Tuning in When People Are Talking: If you’re using a hearing aid, the whole point is to assist your hearing. One of the things you want to hear is other people and the conversation happening around you. Wearing two hearing aids allows your brain to better filter 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.
• Improved Ear Health: Just as unused muscles can atrophy, so too can an unused sense. Your hearing can begin to go downhill if your ears don’t receive regular sound input. Wearing hearing aids in both ears guarantees that the organs linked to hearing receive the input necessary to maintain your hearing. Wearing two hearing aids will also help decrease tinnitus (if you have it) and improve your ability to discern sounds.
• Modern Hearing Aids Work as a Set: In the same way as your ears work together normally, newer hearing aid technology is made to work as a pair. The artificial intelligence and advanced features function well because the two hearing aids communicate with one another and, similar to your brain, determine which sounds to focus on and amplify.

Are There Instances Where One Hearing Aid Is Practical?

Wearing a pair of hearing aids is the better choice in most cases. But the question is raised: If someone is using a hearing aid in only one ear, why?

Well, commonly there are two reasons:

• Monetary concerns: Some individuals think if they can manage with just one they will save money. Buying one hearing aid is better then not getting any at all if you can’t really afford a pair. It’s significant to understand, however, it has been proven that your general health costs will increase if you have untreated hearing loss. Your healthcare costs have been demonstrated to increase by 26 percent after only two years of untreated hearing loss. So talk to your hearing specialist to make sure getting only a single hearing aid is a good plan for you. Discovering ways to help make hearing aids more affordable is another service we offer.
• You still Hear Perfectly out of one ear: If just one of your ears requires a hearing aid, then you may be best served by using a hearing aid in just one ear but it’s definitely something you should talk to your hearing professional about (having one better ear is not the same as having one perfect ear).

Two Aids Are Preferable to One

In the vast majority of circumstances, however, two hearing aids are going to be better for your ears and your hearing than just one. The benefits of hearing as well as possible out of both of your ears are simply too plentiful to disregard. In most circumstances, just as having two ears is better than having only one, having two hearing aids is definitely preferable to having only one. Schedule an appointment with a hearing care pro to have your hearing tested.