Surround Sound Hearing - Why It Matters

Two Ears are Better Than One

Hearing Aids & Hearing Treatment in Springdale, AR

Hearing as Nature Intended

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, hearing with both ears 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 in a more safe environment and not only hearing, but also understanding what is heard.

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 the following :

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 that 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, decision regarding the exact location of the car. When both ears are not functioning together there may be inadequate hearing information to make a quick and reliable decision to determine where the sound is coming from.

Understanding 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. Most difficulty understanding speech occurs when a number of people are talking at once. This is usual during the interactions we enjoy, such as with family, friends and colleagues at work. With two hearing instruments it is possible to maximize understanding in noisy environments.

Hearing Softer Sounds

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 a user of two hearing instruments 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 such as more natural sound quality, relaxation of listening effort, and improved ability to hear correctly and respond appropriately.

Understanding 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. 

Most difficulty understanding speech occurs when a number of people are talking at once. This is usual during the interactions we enjoy, such as with family, friends and colleagues at work. With two hearing instruments it is possible to maximize understanding in noisy environments.

Sound Quality

Users of two hearing instruments report many additional benefits such as more natural sound quality, relaxation of listening effort, and improved ability to hear correctly and respond appropriately.

Hearing Softer Sounds

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 a user of two hearing instruments can set the volume of each one lower, resulting in more pleasant hearing and less amplification of distracting background noises.

Hearing Both Sides Equally

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


Most people with hearing loss in both ears can benefit from a binaural 
(stereo-phonic) hearing instrument 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.

Contact us for your FREE hearing Evaluation!

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