The Comprehensive Guide to Single Sided Deafness Hearing Aids: Types, Features, and Best Practices
There are several types of single sided deafness hearing aids on the market. If you're unsure of the best type, read this article. We'll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of ITE and BiCROS. We'll also look at the Naida B and CROS hearing aids. In the meantime, you can start researching single sided deafness hearing aids on Facebook.
CROS hearing aids
The Phonak CROS single sided deaf disorder hearing aid is a smart solution for individuals with unaidable hearing in one ear. Single sided deafness causes significant stress and difficulty in social interaction. It's hard to understand and follow conversations. You also have trouble navigating your surroundings, such as noisy public spaces. But with the CROS single sided deafness hearing aid, these problems are a thing of the past.
Because of this asymmetry in the ears, single sided deafness can cause serious problems, including anxiety and increased stress. People with single-sided deafness have trouble identifying the source of sounds, and even hearing in background noise. With a CROS single sided deafness hearing aid, patients can experience much improved speech understanding and localization. In addition to this, CROS and BiCROS hearing solutions provide high-definition audio streaming from ear-to-ear, a feature that is beneficial for people with a loss of both ears.
Another type of CROS single sided deafness hearing aid is the BiCROS. This device works as a transmitter and microphone to process all hearing signals from the good ear. BiCROS, which stands for bilateral, is similar to CROS but is designed for individuals with hearing loss in both ears. A BiCMOS device uses a microphone on the side with no hearing to process sounds.
BiCROS
Unlike CROS single sided deafness (SSD), the BiCROS hearing aid uses a normal hearing aid and a deaf ear hearing device. In this way, sound signals from both ears are merged and sent to the better-hearing ear. As a result, patients who experience asymmetric SSD experience poorer localization of sounds. Compared to CROS, the BiCROS hearing device provides the most effective single-sided deafness hearing solution.
CROS B devices are also available. This device features the CROS B technology and is compatible with Phonak streaming accessories. When the user streams music, the music streamed from the streaming device is sent to the better ear of the hearing aid. Once the streaming is over, the CROS B automatically switches back to the worse ear and starts listening to music. This option saves battery life by using a 312 battery.
The CROS system consists of two parts: the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter picks up sounds around you and sends them wirelessly to the amplifier unit in the better ear. The hearing device is worn in an open fit so that it does not obstruct the hearing in the good ear. However, some users have found that CROS devices can hinder the quality of speech understanding in certain situations.
Naida B
Phonak has unveiled the Naida B hearing aid family for those with severe to profound hearing loss. Though the Naida B was expected, the company surprised everyone by launching the first rechargeable hearing aid. Its features include Adaptive Phonak Digital Contrast and a specialized fitting formula. It is intended for users who are hard of hearing and have difficulty identifying consonant sounds in noise.
The Phonak CROS II and Phonak CROS B hearing aids are also great options for people with single sided deafness. This device is worn in one ear while the microphone is placed in the other. The hearing aid is designed to help the wearer determine which side is receiving sound. It can be worn for months without any problems, as long as it is properly adjusted.
The Lyric is another in-ear hearing device. It is designed to fit snugly in the ear canal, close to the eardrum. Wearing it for months gives the wearer a seamless hearing experience and a strong sense of self-confidence. Its battery lasts for about three to four months, and it is completely inconspicuous to others. A Lyric hearing aid is rechargeable and can be worn all day long, making it a smart solution for single sided deafness.
The Naida B hearing aid has a range of features. It comes in two power levels: Super Power (SP) and Ultra Power (UP). The difference between the two is the power of the device. The UP model is designed to treat more severe hearing loss than the SP, but the sound quality of the Naida B single sided deafness hearing aid remains the same.
ITE
A good ITE single sided deafness (SSD) hearing aid is important in order to maintain a normal balance in the auditory system. A single sided hearing loss can be difficult and frustrating to deal with. In a single sided environment, speech from the left ear is deafening to the other person, causing a problem with following conversations. It also makes it difficult to differentiate speech from background noise and determine where sounds are coming from. It takes a lot more effort to hear speech in an environment with background noise than if the speaker was speaking at the same time.
In addition to ITE single sided deafness treatment, other types of nonsurgical solutions exist. Nonsurgical solutions for SSD include a wireless CROS P transmitter that transfers sound from the non-hearing ear to the hearing aid. A biCROS hearing aid can accommodate changing hearing levels and tinnitus. Using a wireless CROS P transmitter, single sided deaf patients can enjoy excellent speech understanding in noisy environments.
BiCROS solutions are another great option for people with single sided deafness. The biCROS solution enables the recipient to hear sounds in one ear while focusing on the better ear. It uses a microphone in the unaided ear to send sound to the hearing aid in the better ear. With this, people can engage in all types of listening environments, not just one.
CROS-HA with digital electronic control circuitry
The CROS-HA hearing aid is a bipolar model that transmits auditory information from one side of the head to the other. Candidates for CROS hearing aids are people who have poor word understanding or do not benefit from a hearing aid on one side. They are similar in appearance to the traditional behind-the-ear hearing aids but provide more support for localization of sound and a sense of balance.
A CROS-HA hearing aid with digital electronics works in a similar manner to a traditional hearing device, with the exception of the use of a microprocessor. A microphone detects sounds, which is converted to a digital signal. The microprocessor uses an algorithm to process the signal. It then outputs the signal to the user's headphones. The DHA can automatically adjust to changes in environmental conditions to improve the hearing experience.
The CROS-HA hearing aid with digital electronics has two different amplification modes. One of these features is an adaptive directional microphone that changes its frequency response depending on the listening program the user chooses. The CROS-HA hearing aid with digital electronic control circuitry is designed to work with a person with an audibility problem and those with a moderate or severe hearing loss. The two models have different audio features and functions.
Cochlear implant
In recent years, cochlear implantation has been approved for children with severe single-sided deafness (SSD). This procedure restores patients' localization and sound awareness. Children with SSD may be challenged to listen to conversations in background noise and participate in social situations. These children may also benefit from a hearing aid designed for children with severe SSD. For more information, visit www.cochlear-implant.com.
A cochlear implant is a surgical procedure that corrects deafness by stimulating one side of the brain. There are two types of cochlear implants: BiCROS (bilateral contralateral routing of sound) and CROS (contralateral routing of sound). The BiCROS system uses an electrode array to restore hearing to an impaired cochlea. It is the gold standard of SSD treatment.
A cochlear implant can help people with severe hearing loss in one or both ears. The Washington University experts use cochlear implants for SSD patients. While they were previously reserved for people with severe deafness in both ears, their patients have a high satisfaction rate with cochlear implants. Furthermore, the school's experts continue to study the best ways to optimize hearing for SSD patients. Recently, the FDA approved MED-EL and Cochlear Limited for patients with SSD.
The primary aim of this study is to determine whether patients with SSD improve their speech perception, localization, and quality of life with the cochlear implant. Secondary goals include comparing speech perception and localization abilities to a control group and to a bone-conduction device. A controlled trial is needed to confirm this study in children. This trial will help determine which types of cochlear implants improve the quality of life for these individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several types of single sided deafness hearing aids available, including CROS, BiCROS, ITE, and Cochlear Implants. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks, and it's essential to consult with a hearing specialist to determine the best option for your needs.
The Phonak CROS and BiCROS devices are great options for people with single-sided deafness, as they provide excellent speech understanding and localization. The Naida B hearing aid family is also an excellent choice for those with severe to profound hearing loss.
Additionally, cochlear implants are a surgical solution for severe single-sided deafness, and they have shown to improve speech perception, localization, and quality of life for patients. It's important to research and consult with a hearing specialist before making any decisions regarding hearing aids.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438788/
https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-022-06702-1