Two are better than One – A discussion of hearing aids – Alabama Nasal & Sinus Center
Two Ears Are Better Than One….
Have you ever had a family member tell you that you need a hearing aid? Or that you need to get your hearing checked. Or, have you noticed that you can sleep through a thunderstorm while others around you are awakened. Well, our tendency is to blow off these signs as yet another reason not to attend the next family reunion – all those crazy folks, you know. However, it might be prudent to consider for a moment that you might have hearing loss (gasp!). One of the things I do here at Alabama Nasal and Sinus Center is take care of people with hearing loss. Husbands who cannot hear wives and play the TV way too loud and wives who have to constantly ask others to repeat themselves are the types of people I see commonly in my office. We are very fortunate to have two outstanding audiologists on our staff that we work with to rehabilitate patients with hearing loss. Together, the physician and audiologist can diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your hearing loss, if possible. The audiologist has further expertise in fitting, programming, and servicing hearing aids for those who need them. If you or a family member are experiencing hearing loss, you might be considering the use of hearing aid amplification
As hearing care professionals, we are often asked, “Do I need two hearing aids, or can I wear just one?” Wearing hearing instruments on both ears is often recommended and will provide advantages that only one hearing aid will not.
Sound localization is dependent on two ears. When one ear functions better than the other, you are unable to determine the direction and origin of a sound. Hearing with both ears will also maximize your understanding in noisy situations. When you are in a noisy environment, hearing with two ears will give you better ability to suppress background noise.
Hearing aids will also provide balanced hearing when worn on both ears. This will allow you to respond appropriately, whether the conversation is on your right or left side.
As you are considering which hearing aids are best for you? Keep in mind the benefits of hearing with both ears….two ears are better than one!
God bless. Have a great day!
I am a general otolaryngologist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the ears, nose, and throat. Though I treat patients in all areas of otolaryngology, of all ages, I have special interests in rhinology, otolaryngic allergy, pediatric otolaryngology, and head and neck cancer.
I was born in Dothan, Alabama and spent my first two years in Troy, where my parents were completing school. Most of my early childhood and adolescence was spent in Pace, Florida, just East of Pensacola. I left home after graduating from Pace High School to attend the University of Florida. While there, I became very involved in various student leadership activities and even found time to play football for the Gators under Coach Spurrier. I loved college so much, I got two degrees and spent another two years in Gainesville while my new bride finished her degree in health science education. I am proudly married to the charming and beautiful Simone, mother of our three wonderful children.
I was pleased to get back to the Gulf Coast for a while when the University of South Alabama accepted me into their medical school. Those four years were some of the most intense and most fondly remembered years of my life. I started my training in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery at the University of Alabama Birmingham in 2001. I completed residency training in 2006 and began working in private practice in Valdosta, Georgia. It was while training at UAB that I met Dr. Michael Sillers. It is my great privilege to call Dr. Sillers my mentor and friend. We have known each other for over a decade now, and I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to join Dr. Sillers and the Alabama Nasal and Sinus Center in providing the best in otolaryngology care to the people of Birmingham and surrounding areas.