Helping Single Sided Deafness

Some people have little or no usable hearing in one ear, and either normal hearing in the other ear, or a hearing loss that can be helped with amplification. There is a solution for this situation, and current technology makes it better than ever!

Single sided deafness (SSD) involves significant damage to hearing in one ear. People with SSD can have trouble understanding speech because they can’t separate background noise from the sounds they want to hear, and they can’t hear from one side – making it difficult to locate sounds.

In addition, these people need to strategize when they are in a car, walking in the street, or sitting at a meeting, in each case being sure that the speaker they are trying to hear is on the “good” side. This is not easy.

The technology that addresses single sided deafness is called CROS (when the better ear is normal) and BICROS (when the better ear has an aidable hearing loss.) Here is what happens:

CROS hearing aid systems wirelessly transmit sound from the deaf side to the better ear via a small sleek transmitter, which is placed behind the deaf ear. The transmitter picks up sound and wirelessly transmits it to a receiver hearing aid on the normal-hearing ear. This solution is discreet and highly effective.

BiCROS is similar to CROS, but is made for those who are deaf in one ear and hearing impaired in the other ear. Here, the receiver hearing aid also amplifies sound on the better ear.

People who have lost their hearing in one ear and begin to use a CROS or BICROS system often light up with delight as they realize they are picking up sounds from the “bad” side. It is truly an “oh, wow!” moment.

Today’s CROS/BICROS instruments use the latest fashionable wireless instruments. They not only look good, but take advantage of the newest sound processing.  Battery life is surprisingly good.  Some units have a volume control so the sound from both sides can be adjusted.

Finally, patients with tinnitus (ringing in the ear) often get relief because of the additional sound enrichment.

If you or someone you know has single sided deafness, we would we happy to discuss this option with you.

CaptionCall - a Free Service to Assist With Phone Calls

If you have trouble hearing easily on the phone there is a technology that can help you.   Even with hearing aids, sometimes it is difficult to hear soft or high-pitched voices. Sometimes names or numbers are hard to hear, and sometimes the phone connection is simply not good.

CaptionCall is similar to captioned TV, but it is only available to people with hearing loss.  It displays written, almost instant easy-to-see captions so that you can listen and read the captions simultaneously.   Twice the information allows you to communicate with better understanding and less stress.

Moreover, it is FREE!  Captioned Telephone Service is a federally funded program administered by the FCC as a benefit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  There are no costs associated with this service.  The telephone itself is provided by CaptionCall at no cost.

In the words of one of my patients – a dynamic professional woman with a tough hearing loss and a wonderful way with words:  “Thanks to CaptionCall there’s no more ‘processing’ time interrupting my conversation.  I can answer spontaneously.  Without the help of CaptionCall it takes a pause to get the contextual meaning.  But now I can have a true dialogue.  It provides another layer of ability, not disability!”

To qualify for a CaptionCall service you must have a hearing loss, and a signed form from a qualified health professional affirming that you need a captioned phone because of your hearing loss.  Once you submit your form by FAX to 1-888-778-5838 a CaptionCall representative will contact you and arrange for: free phone, free delivery, free installation, free in-home training, and free captioning service.

You will be able to communicate with confidence!  Caption Call is familiar – calls are dialed and answered like any regular phone.  The phone is hearing aid compatible if the hearing aids have telecoils available.  The sound of the phone can be customized - the ringer, handset volume and frequency balance can be optimized to meet your hearing configuration.

Three things are needed to get started:

• hearing loss that requires the help of a captioned phone service
• high-speed internet connection 
• standard home phone connection

Be empowered!  Accurate and easy telephone use is important for staying in touch with family and friends, obtaining needed information, knowing you are communicating with accuracy, and staying well-networked.  My patients who have obtained this service are delighted with the help.