Benefits of hearing well with both ears

Why we have two ears

Our two ears act as a type of receiving station for the brain. One ear is directed to the left, the other to the right. When the ears pick up a sound, the brain calculates the angle from which the sound has arrived. The brain has this capability since the closest ear receives the sound microseconds earlier than the other ear.

With only one ear functioning properly, origin of sound is impossible to determine. Even more importantly, the quality of sound is better when it is heard with two ears. Speech received by only one ear sounds flat and devoid of its rich nuances. In most cases, two hearing instruments are fitted to those with impaired hearing in both ears.

Function and dysfunction of the ear

The ear is a very complex organ comprising of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Hearing loss can result from damage to any of these three parts. Hearing loss resulting from a problem located in the outer or middle ear is called a conductive hearing loss.

From the inner ear the auditory nerve transmits information to the brain. Hearing loss caused by a damaged inner ear is called a sensorineural hearing loss. A combination of a conductive and sensorineural hearing loss is known as a mixed hearing loss.

How Your Ear Functions –Parts of the ear

The outer ear

The outer ear includes the pinna, the auditory can and the eardrum. These structures channel sounds from the environment into the middle ear. The pinna helps to gather sound waves and the auditory canal directs them to the eardrum.

The middle ear

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity that contains the smallest bones in the human body – the malleus, incus and stapes, which are connected to the eardrum and the inner ear. The Eustachian tube keeps the air pressure in the middle ear equal to that of the surrounding environment.

The inner ear

In the inner ear, sound is processed by the cochlea, while information affecting balance is processed by the semicircular canals. There are tiny hair cells along the entire length of the fluid filled cochlea. When the fluid in the cochlea is displaced by sound waves, the hair cells bend. This triggers a chemical response that transmits the message to the area of the brain in charge of processing and interpreting what we hear.

What is hearing loss?

“Hearing loss,” means that you have a decreased sensitivity to sounds that are normally heard.  The degree and type of hearing loss can vary but in most cases can be helped.  Not only does hearing loss affect the ability to communicate, but it can also affect an individual’s mood and overall health. Therefore, it is so important if you feel your hearing is not what it used to be, to get it checked out.

Knowing the signs

It’s a daunting prospect, losing your hearing. Sometimes you notice it’s not quite what it used to be or perhaps you notice others asking you to repeat yourselves. None the less, hearing loss can be a challenging time for you and your loved ones around you. It’s so important that when you notice symptoms of hearing loss that you seek treatment.

• Do you turn up the TV louder than your family wants it?
• Do you find it hard to follow conversation in pubs and restaurants?
• Do you struggle to hear on the phone?
• Do you often ask people to repeat what they say?
• Does your partner complain that you don’t listen to them?
• Do you find others mumble?

What should I do if I notice these symptoms?

If you notice any of the above, the first thing to do is get in contact. Whether you need a hearing aid or not we offer a no-obligation consultations to put your mind at ease and start your journey to hearing in full again.

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