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If you find you only have hearing difficulties in one ear, you may wonder why you might need two hearing aids. It can seem like an unnecessary extra cost, but in reality, using two hearing aids can significantly improve your overall hearing health and long-term outcomes. 

To help you understand, here are five reasons why most people are better off with two hearing aids. 

1. Prevent Hearing Changes In The Unaided Ear 

When you only wear one hearing aid, your unaided ear does not receive the same level of stimulation. This can cause that ear to work harder, leading to ear strain and fatigue. Over time, this lack of stimulation may even cause the unaided ear to weaken further. 

Just as reading with one eye is tiring, hearing with one ear places unnecessary strain on your hearing system. Using two hearing aids helps keep both ears active and balanced. 

2. Better Sound Quality And Clarity 

While one hearing aid can amplify sound, you often need both to achieve full sound quality and clarity. With only one device, conversations can sound less clear, especially in environments with background noise. 

In fact, studies have shown that wearing two hearing aids can improve speech perception by around 5% compared to wearing just one. This means clearer conversations and more natural hearing in all types of situations. 

3. Help Your Brain Process Sounds 

Although the ears pick up sounds, it’s the brain that processes them. The brain relies on input from both ears to determine which sounds are most important and where they are coming from. Without the loudness and clarity from both sides, it becomes harder for your brain to separate speech from background noise. 

For example, if someone is speaking into your unaided ear, their voice may sound softer than the surrounding noise, making it difficult for your brain to focus on the conversation. 

4. Improve Localisation Of Sounds 

Two hearing aids also help your brain pinpoint where sounds are coming from, a process known as localisation. The brain uses subtle differences in loudness, timing, and frequency between both ears to detect direction and distance. 

If sounds are only louder in one ear, your brain loses that reference point, making it harder to identify where a sound originates. Using two hearing aids restores this ability, allowing you to respond naturally to your environment. 

5. Offer Better Balance 

Even if you have hearing loss in just one ear, using only one hearing aid can create an unbalanced listening experience. Two hearing aids provide a sense of equality, with each ear receiving the same level of amplification. This balance helps you feel more comfortable and confident in everyday situations. 

Book Your Hearing Assessment 

If you’d like to learn more about your hearing health and discover which hearing aid options are right for you, we’d love to help. Get in touch with the team at Beckenham Hearing to book a comprehensive hearing assessment or earwax removal appointment. 

Schedule your hearing test today and take the first step towards clearer, more balanced hearing.