Understanding Binaural Hearing Aids: Definition, Benefits, and Why Two Might Be Better Than One
For many individuals experiencing hearing loss, the journey to finding the right solution can be daunting. Accepting the need for a hearing aid is often the first step, followed by the potential surprise of an audiologist recommending not just one, but two devices. This raises questions about the necessity and benefits of binaural hearing aids. This article delves into the world of binaural hearing, exploring its definition, advantages, and why it might be the optimal choice for those with hearing loss in both ears.
Hearing loss can manifest in various ways, affecting one or both ears. When hearing loss is present in only one ear, it is termed unilateral hearing loss. Conversely, bilateral hearing loss signifies impairment in both ears.
There are two primary categories of hearing loss:
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: This permanent form of hearing loss results from damage to the sensory cells within the inner ear, specifically the cochlea, or to the auditory nerve. Noise exposure, genetics, aging, and other factors can contribute to this type of hearing loss.
- Conductive Hearing Loss: Conductive hearing loss arises when sound transmission is obstructed along the pathway from the outer ear (pinna) to the inner ear. Common causes include wax blockage, ear infections, and middle ear conditions like otosclerosis. Treatment options for conductive hearing loss may include medication, surgery, or assistive devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Following a hearing loss diagnosis, an audiologist will recommend a tailored treatment plan. Hearing aids are commonly prescribed for mild to moderate hearing losses. These devices amplify sound and deliver it into the ear.
Perhaps one of the most important, but often overlooked words in the hearing loss vocabulary is binaural, which means hearing with both ears. This is one of the most fascinating and powerful abilities of the human brain. Numerous studies have shown that when the brain receives input from both ears, it is able to form a clearer and more complete soundscape.
If you have hearing loss in only one ear and normal or nearly normal hearing in the other, then one hearing aid is all you need. But most people have hearing loss in both ears, especially if the loss is age-related. (You may have one ear that’s better than the other, but chances are both will be in the same ballpark.) In that case, research and experience suggest that you’ll ultimately be more satisfied with two hearing aids.
The Advantages of Binaural Hearing Aids
When you have two hearing aids, you can take better advantage of the way the brain processes sound through what’s known as binaural hearing. With normal hearing, sound signals from both ears are comparable in strength. The brain can pick out the important signals, like voices, when they’re louder than the background noise. But if you’re wearing just one hearing aid and someone talks into your unaided ear in a noisy room, the voice may sound softer than the background noise. As a result, it’s harder for your brain to give it preferential status.
Here are some key benefits of binaural hearing:
- Improved Sound Localization: Binaural hearing helps us better localize where sounds come from. It may also be harder for the brain to identify the location of particular sounds if you’re wearing a single hearing aid. The brain normally does this by comparing the qualities of the sound signals that come through each ear-their relative loudness, their frequencies, and the time it takes them to travel through the ears. But the brain can’t locate a sound as well if sound signals are always louder through one ear.
- Enhanced Speech Clarity in Noise: Binaural hearing improves the sound quality of music, makes speech clearer in noisy situations, and generally improves the listening experience.
- Stimulation of Auditory Nerves: Some hearing experts think that wearing two hearing aids may even help conserve hearing in the weaker ear by keeping the auditory nerve stimulated with adequately amplified sound. There’s no proof that the auditory nerves actually deteriorate from inadequate stimulation, but research shows that other parts of the nervous system-most notably the brain-do suffer from lack of use.
- Reduced Volume Requirements: One undisputed advantage of wearing two hearing aids is that you can set them at a lower volume than if you wear just one. That’s because soft tones sound louder when the brain is receiving signals from two ears rather than one. And lower volume means less feedback.
- Wireless Communication: Wearing wireless hearing aids in both ears enhances the binaural hearing process because the hearing aids communicate with each other and transfer data back and forth, rather than working independently to process sound. This means they are able to maintain localization cues better than hearing aids working independently of each other.
When people with bilateral hearing loss are only treated in one ear, either with a hearing aid or a cochlear implant, they miss out on binaural hearing. That’s why they often report hearing speech well in quiet situations, but have difficulties in noisy or other challenging listening situations.
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Improved Sound Localization | Ability to accurately identify the source of sounds. |
| Enhanced Speech Clarity | Better understanding of speech, especially in noisy environments. |
| Auditory Nerve Stimulation | Potential conservation of hearing in the weaker ear through stimulation. |
| Reduced Volume | Lower volume settings required due to binaural summation. |
| Wireless Communication | Coordination between hearing aids for optimal sound processing. |
If your audiologist recommends two hearing aids and you’re not sure that you want or need two, ask if you can use two on a trial basis. Under this arrangement, you would be fitted with two hearing aids and then, over a period of several weeks, you would decide whether you hear better with two. If not, you should be able to return one of them.
Understanding the nuances of hearing loss and the benefits of binaural hearing aids is crucial in making informed decisions about your hearing health. By exploring these aspects, individuals can take proactive steps towards improving their overall quality of life through better hearing.