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.
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