Everyone experiences hearing loss in different ways. People may live with profound hearing loss, mild hearing loss, and hearing loss in one or both ears. Many individuals experience something known as unilateral hearing loss, or single-sided deafness (SSD). This occurs when a person has profound hearing loss on one side and better to normal hearing on the other.

Single-sided deafness has been a challenge for many hearing care providers in the past. Today, however, kids and adults with SSD have solutions designed just for them, called CROS hearing aids.

What is the head shadow effect?

Although you may not know the formal term, if you have SSD, you’ve likely experienced it. The head shadow effect is a phenomenon that occurs often among people with unilateral hearing loss. It refers to the fact that high-frequency soundwaves cannot “bend” around the head, so when certain sounds reach the side of the head with hearing loss, they sound muffled or the person never hears them at all.

CROS hearing devices can help eliminate the head shadow effect, and much more.

What is CROS?

CROS stands for Contralateral Routing of Signals. In plain terms, this means that by wearing hearing aids on both ears, the CROS system wirelessly detects sound on your “bad” side and transmits it over to the aid on your “good” side.

The transmitter has the typical microphone, and other technological goodies, but no speaker. It sends the sounds wirelessly over to the hearing aid, which does its magic and produces the sound in your good ear.

The result? Hearing a full range of 360° soundscapes. No more constantly turning your head to hear sounds and speech. No more asking people to talk into your “good ear.” Now you’ll know where the sound is coming from, with fewer problems localizing.

Do I need a CROS hearing aid?

You may benefit from CROS technology if you have profound hearing loss or SSD in one ear and mild to moderate or normal hearing in the other ear. Approximately 60,000 Americans acquire SSD every year, so it’s important to understand that you aren’t alone. Visiting a hearing care provider and trying out a CROS hearing aid could be invaluable.

According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, many patients with unilateral hearing loss “try to manage without the benefit of available devices. Many patients who use these devices report listening is easier and more comfortable with a device than without one.”

Introducing the Oticon CROS family!

Although CROS hearing aids have been around for a while, the technology just keeps improving. Our Oticon CROS family, is a revolutionary experience for single-sided deafness.

Today’s Oticon CROS family of hearing solutions features advanced dual streaming technology that allows you to enjoy wireless streaming while still accessing the relevant sounds in your environment. Now you can watch TV or listen to music while carrying on a conversation with someone on your poorer hearing side.

Above all, Oticon CROS PX and CROS allow you the freedom to do more.

Ready to try out Oticon CROS family for yourself? Find out more now! Looking for a hearing care provider? You can find one with our simple hearing clinic locator tool.