3Selection Process and fitting One versus two hearing aids If you have good hearing in one ear and hearing loss in the other, then one hear- ing aid is the best option. On the other hand, hearing loss often occurs in both ears. Binaural (two-ear) hearing devices can restore a“stereo”type of sound.They also help listeners in circumstances of high background noise. It used to be that people with hearing loss in both ears were provided with one hearing aid.This would be similar to wearing one lens when you have vision problems in both eyes. We have two eyes in order to see depth. With one eye we actually see as flat as a postcard. If you cover one eye you might still think you see depth, but that’s only your brain fooling you for the moment. In reality, if you were tested for depth perception, you would not see much with one eye. We have two ears to tell the direction of sounds. It’s not as simple as saying that the right ear hears from the right and the left hears from the left. The truth is much more beautiful and fascinating than that! Consider that sound travels over 1000 km/hr. Now think about the width of one’s head separating the ears one from each other. When someone speaks to you from your right-hand side, sound will reach your right ear a split second before it gets to your left ear. The sound will also be slightly louder for your right ear compared to your left ear. It’s these tiny time and volume differences between your ears that tell you what direction a sound is coming from. It’s a truly amazing fact about the wonderful sense of hearing! Needless to say, two ears are better than one. Instrument appearance Hearing aid choice is a personal decision, but be sure to connect with a profes- sional while you’re deciding. There’s no sense in settling for anything other than the best when it comes to your hearing. Learn the different styles of hearing aids, such as the all-in-the-ear and behind- the-ear styles.There are numerous types and sizes to choose from. The choice is up to you. The important thing is that your hearing is improved. The physical size and shape of your own ear canal will also make a difference as to what style of hearing aid will work best for you. If you have trouble using your fingers or grasping small objects then a smaller hearing aid will be harder to operate and remove from your ear. You may be better off with a larger model. Find out which style suits you best. A Culture of Care. At NexGen Hearing our care doesn’t stop at finding you the right hearing device. Our Aftercare pro- gram is with you every step of the way. In fact, after we fit you with your new hearing aids, our lifetime program of care ensures you continue to get the maximum benefit from both your hearing and your hearing aids. Your Hearing Professional will also advise you on how to take daily care of your hearing aids to maintain their performance. Our Lifetime Aftercare program includes a regular assessment and evaluation of your hearing and the health of your ears. Expert advice and demonstrations of new hearing aid technology will ensure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency. Now you can get busy Living! Continuing with your Lifetime After Care Program 4 NEXT GENERATION OF HEARING CARE | 20