Two ears are better than one

Hearing as nature intented

 
Hearing as nature intended - with both ears!

Nature has equipped all mammals with two, equally functioning ears as a primary means of survival for locating prey; for hearing an enemy or approaching danger.

For humans, two-eared hearing is just as necessary to survive in our noisy societies; to hear in traffic, in crowds and to understand speech.  For many, hearing properly with both ears may mean the difference between just hearing and hearing and understanding.

Have you seen anyone wearing a monocle lately?

Chances are you have not.  The monocle became obsolete long ago when we recognized the advantages of balanced vision and began to provide binocular sight correction.  Similarly, hearing help for both ears produces equally advantageous results for those with hearing impairment in two ears.

Hearing with both ears provides the maximum security, speech clarity and sound quality because it improves...

 

 

...sound localization

The ability to localize sound is dependent upon two equally functioning ears.  How do we know the direction of a car's approach?  The sound reaches the closer ear a few micro-seconds earlier, and at a somewhat higher intensity than it reaches the opposite ear.  These minute differences in the signals transmitted to our brain by each ear, enable us to make the important, and potentially life-saving, dicision regarding the exact location of the car.  When one ear is functioning better than the other; there is inadequate information to quickly and reliably determine the direction of a sound.

...understanding of speech in noisy places

Hearing with two ears provides improved capacity to suppress background noise, making it easier to understand conversation.  Unequal hearing in the left and right ears is commonly a very big disadvantage in noise.  While one hearing instrument may be helpful in a quiet environment, it may not be helpful in noisy situations.  The most difficult understanding speech occurs when a number of people are talking at once.  This is usual during the interaction we enjoy, such as with family, friends and colleagues at work, when there is often other environmental noise as well.  With two hearing instruments, it is possible to maximize understanding in noise.
...hearing with less volume

A sound presented to both ears is judged to be louder than the same sound, at the same intensity, presented to one ear only.  This means that the user of two hearing instryments can set the volume of each one lower, resulting in more pleasant hearing and less amplification of distracting background noises.

...hearing equally from both sides

Wearing two hearing instruments gives the maximum opportunity to respond accurately and confidently, whether conversation comes from your left or right side.

...sound quality

Users of two hearing instruments report many additional benefits :

  • More natural sound quality

  • A relaxation of listening effort

  • Improved ability to hear correctly and respond appropriately.

Most people with hearing loss in both ears can benefit from a binaural (stereo-phonic) hearing intrument fitting **

Science and technological research, as well as the personal experience of many hearing instrument wearers, points convincingly to the fact that, with few exceptions, most hearing impaired people can benefit greatly from wearing two hearing instruments.

The rewards from wearing two hearing instruments are not limited to those people with severe hearing loss.  Even if your hearing loss is mild or moderate, a binaural fitting will provide valuable and significant improvement

** Please note : A binaural hearing instrument fitting may not be suitable for a small percentage of hearing instrument users.

 

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