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The Advantages of Single vs. Double Hearing Aids

For some, whether to buy one or two hearing aids isn't a choice. If you only have hearing loss in one ear, you only need one hearing aid. The same is true if you have hearing loss in both ears; you really need two hearing aids. However, many people opt for only one. Could there be an advantage to wearing only one hearing aid?

  1. Price

    • The greatest advantage of one hearing aid is cost. Most people pay for their hearing aids out of pocket, and they can range in price from $2,000 to $6,000 per pair. Opting to wear one hearing aid can save you thousands of dollars.

    Acclimatization

    • One hearing aid is easier to get used to. When you wear hearing aids, you hear sounds at a normal hearing level, and this can be shocking at first. You will adjust to amplification more quickly than a person wearing two hearing aids.

    Maintenance

    • One hearing aid is easier to use. You only have to clean, change the battery, control the volume on and wear one hearing aid. Overall use and care is easier, less time-consuming and less bothersome. Therefore, people with one hearing aid tend to wear it more often.

    Socializing

    • You won't hear as much background noise with one hearing aid, but you also won't understand speech as well. In noisy social situations, two hearing aids filter background noise better and clarify speech more effectively than just one.

    Localization

    • You won't always know what direction sounds are coming from with one hearing aid. Our brains need similar hearing signals from both ears to localize sound and understand speech. Two hearing aids provide better direction of sound and speech comprehension.

    Considerations

    • If you have a hearing loss in both ears, wearing one hearing aid is better than none, but two is best. If you can only start with one, try to get the other as soon as you can. The difference is amazing.

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