One Hearing Aid or Two? How the Decision Is Made
If you have hearing loss in both ears, an audiologist will often discuss fitting two hearing aids, because our brains are designed to listen with two ears. Hearing from both sides usually makes it easier to tell where sounds come from, to follow speech in noisy places and to hear in a more balanced, natural way.
One hearing aid can still be the right choice in some situations, for example when only one ear has hearing loss, when one ear cannot benefit from a hearing aid, or when there are practical reasons to start with one. The decision is based on your hearing test results for each ear and on your daily needs.
What does "binaural hearing" mean?
Binaural hearing simply means hearing with both ears. The brain compares the sound arriving at each ear, including small differences in timing and loudness, and uses this to work out where sounds come from and to separate speech from background noise. When hearing loss affects both ears but only one is aided, the sound reaching the brain can be uneven.
Why are two hearing aids often recommended?
When both ears have hearing loss, two hearing aids may:
- make it easier to tell which direction a sound is coming from, which helps in conversations and also for safety, such as noticing traffic;
- help with understanding speech in noise, because the brain can use information from both sides;
- give a more balanced sense of sound, so you do not feel that everything is coming from one side;
- reduce the need to turn your "good side" towards the speaker.
Many people also find that sound feels more natural and comfortable with two hearing aids, although experiences differ.
When might one hearing aid be the choice?
One hearing aid may be discussed when:
- only one ear has hearing loss and the other ear hears within the typical range;
- one ear is unlikely to benefit from a hearing aid, for example when hearing in that ear is very limited. Options such as a CROS system may then be considered; see our article on hearing loss in one ear and CROS hearing aids;
- there are medical reasons that make wearing a hearing aid in one ear unsuitable at the moment;
- personal or practical reasons apply, which you can discuss openly with your audiologist.
If you choose one hearing aid when both ears have hearing loss, it is worth knowing what you may be missing, so that you can make an informed decision.
How is the decision made?
- Hearing assessment. A full hearing test measures each ear separately. Our guide on how to read your audiogram explains what the results show.
- Discussion of your daily life. Your audiologist asks where you find listening hardest, such as meetings, gatherings or the car.
- Medical check where needed. Hearing that differs a lot between the ears, especially if it changed suddenly, should be checked by a doctor.
- Recommendation and fitting. The style, number of devices and settings are agreed together during a Danavox hearing aid fitting consultation.
- Follow-up. Your experience in daily life guides fine-tuning afterwards.
When to see a specialist
Book a hearing assessment if you notice that you rely on one "better" ear, struggle to tell where sounds come from, or find noisy places tiring. If you already wear one hearing aid and wonder whether a second would help, your audiologist can review this with you. You can book a hearing aid fitting consultation after your hearing test through our booking page; no referral is needed for a hearing assessment.
If hearing in one ear drops suddenly, see a doctor promptly, as sudden hearing loss needs urgent medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Is wearing one hearing aid enough?
If only one ear has hearing loss, one hearing aid may be enough. If both ears have hearing loss, one hearing aid can still help, but you may miss some of the benefits of hearing with both ears, such as locating sounds and following speech in noise. Your audiologist can explain what to expect in your case.
Does two-ear hearing help in noise?
Hearing with both ears usually helps the brain separate speech from background noise and tell where sounds come from. For many people with hearing loss in both ears, two hearing aids make noisy situations easier, although no hearing aid makes noise disappear completely.
What if only one ear has hearing loss?
The options depend on how much hearing that ear has. If it can benefit from amplification, a single hearing aid may be suggested. If it has very limited hearing, a CROS system or other options may be discussed. A medical check is usually advised to look for the cause of hearing loss in one ear.
Related reading
- How to Choose a Hearing Aid: Questions to Ask Before You Decide
- Hearing Loss in One Ear: What CROS Hearing Aids Are and Who They Help
- How to Read Your Audiogram: A Plain-Language Guide
Sources
This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.