Can You Hear as Well With Only One Functional Ear?
Some people have hearing loss on one side only, caused by birth defects or complications during childhood or adulthood. This unilateral hearing loss can range from severe to profound.
When the hearing loss is total, meaning that neurosensory stimulation isn’t possible, it’s called anacusis. This type of deafness is estimated to occur in between 3% and 9% of the population.1
Even if the other ear is healthy, a person with unilateral hearing loss cannot hear the same way as someone with two functional ears. They can’t determine the direction of sound and have trouble understanding speech in noisy environments. The brain needs the auditory information from both ears to determine where a sound is coming from. As for understanding speech in noise, the central auditory system acts as a filter when the auditory cortex is stimulated by both ears.
Recommended Technology
If a person has unilateral hearing loss, hearing health professionals may suggest CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signals) hearing aids.2 This system consists of a microphone placed on the non-hearing ear, linked wirelessly to a hearing aid on the other ear that acts as a receiver. The system picks up sound from the microphone and transmits it to the hearing ear. If the other ear also has hearing loss, the hearing aid will amplify the sounds as needed. This is known as a BICROS system.
One hearing aid manufacturer has introduced a wireless CROS system that uses a magnetic signal. This combination of two technologies allows people with unilateral hearing loss to have a complete 360-degree hearing experience. Users can also connect a Bluetooth device (cell phone, TV listening system or handheld microphone) to their CROS or BICROS system without compromising its effectiveness. In fact, a study has shown that CROS systems with Bluetooth connectivity can significantly increase word recognition in complex listening environments.3
Talk to an audioprosthetist to learn more!
Cros system : With CROS systems, a microphone is placed on the non-hearing ear. This microphone, which is linked to the hearing aid on the other ear, transmits sounds to the “better” ear.
BICROS system: With BICROS systems, a microphone is placed on the non- hearing ear. This microphone, which is linked to the hearing aid on the other ear, transmits sounds to the “better” ear. BICROS systems also provide amplification as needed so that the “better” ear can hear the sounds.
Don't forget!
An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient's needs.