Nature Gave Us Two Ears for a Reason

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:40:14 +0000

Hearing with two ears is called “Binaural Hearing”. Because we have two ears, we are more effectively able to process sound and understand speech. Without such processing, our brain receives an incomplete sound picture. Imagine for a moment that you have to tie a knot with only one hand. You can still tie a knot, using your body as a support, but it is not as effective as having both of your hands to perform this function. The fact is, most people function better with both hands, and hear better with both ears.

Utilizing the best possible hearing in two ears results in:

Better Sound Discrimination

Many sounds which are almost exactly alike when heard with one ear can be more easily differentiated when heard with two ears (e.g. shoe & sue; cup & cut; with & wish).

Improved Understanding

Binaural Hearing (hearing with both ears) helps you sort out and understand individual voices. Our “built-in signal processor” in the brain blends signals from both ears into a more natural single sound “picture” as nature intended. Without such equality, our brain presents us with incomplete information, resulting in difficulty understanding speech.

Locating Sound Source

Our brain locates a sound source by measuring the tiny differences in duration and intensity of sound arriving at each ear. These differences are then translated by the brain, allowing us to instantaneously recognize a sound’s exact location. When a person hears with only one ear, there is increased difficulty in locating sound.

Less Stressful Listening

Listening with only one ear is physically tiring and stressful. With good hearing in both ears you respond more confidently, and you don’t need to always worry about turning your “good ear” towards sounds.

Hearing Tests Melbourne

Nature Gave Us Two Ears for a Reason

Better Sound Discrimination

Improved Understanding

Locating Sound Source

Less Stressful Listening