( Audiogram )

According to experiences from hospitals and hearing centers, it is generally recommended to wear hearing aids in both ears. If you prefer to wear only one, it’s best to use it in the ear with better hearing, as the stronger ear’s cells and natural auditory functions will help your hearing aid perform more effectively. Wearing your hearing aid for about 8 hours a day also helps stimulate the auditory nerves, slow down hearing deterioration, and protect your better ear from worsening. However, be aware that the hearing gap between your good and weaker ear may widen over time, leading to an imbalance in your overall hearing ability.

What happens if you wear the hearing aid in the weaker ear instead of the better one?

It’s not impossible, but generally not recommended — as it often results in a poorer hearing experience than wearing the hearing aid in the better ear. From real-life cases, many people say, “I hear less from this side (the bad ear). If it really works, shouldn’t it make this ear hear better? Why do you suggest putting it in the ear that already hears better?”

In reality, audiologists wish it were that simple. Hearing ability and hearing aid performance are directly connected. While wearing a hearing aid in the weaker ear does help you hear more than without it, wearing it in the stronger ear typically produces a better overall hearing experience.

Type 2: Both ears have similar levels of hearing loss

When both ears have nearly equal hearing loss, if you plan to wear only one hearing aid, it’s recommended that you visit our hearing center to test in real-life conditions and determine which ear is more suitable. Usually, we suggest wearing it in the ear with slightly better hearing.

However, wearing only one hearing aid carries certain risks — the untreated ear may deteriorate faster, you may struggle to identify the direction of sounds or dangers such as traffic, and people may need to stand on your aided side to communicate effectively. Therefore, for individuals with hearing loss in both ears, we strongly advise against using only one hearing aid.

It’s better to allocate your budget for two hearing aids instead of one.

This approach not only prevents faster hearing deterioration but also ensures both ears hear more effectively. Mathematically, 1+1=2, but wearing hearing aids in both ears offers more than double the benefits — including slowing hearing decline, improving communication, and accurately identifying the direction of sounds or hazards. All of these highlight the importance of binaural hearing in daily life.

That’s why some of our hearing aid products, such as the Goodhearing Series and Gohearing Series, are sold in pairs.

For elderly users, we also offer single high-power hearing aids for improved hearing clarity.

In summary, hearing aids effectively address hearing loss, and whether worn in one or both ears, they significantly impact hearing performance. Generally, we recommend wearing hearing aids in both ears for balanced hearing. If you must wear only one, choose the ear with better hearing.