CROS hearing devices for single sided hearing
Do you live in the Bournemouth area and have single sided deafness (SSD)? Key to Hearing has successfully helped many people with unilateral hearing enjoy the benefits of CROS hearing technology.
Single sided hearing loss
Having partial or complete deafness in one ear can be a challenge. If sounds are on your non-hearing side, it can be hard to understand speech and follow conversations without having to reposition yourself. What’s more, being unaware of your environment on the side where you can’t hear can be dangerous, such as when crossing the road.
As a result, it’s common for people with single sided hearing loss to feel overwhelmed and isolated. While we know that surgical solutions can be an answer for some this may not be an option or practical for others. This is where CROS hearing devices can be the answer.
CROS devices are an alternative to cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids (BAHAs). They can be effective hearing devices for people with hearing in only one ear – and allow you to live your life without missing out on conversations and other sounds.
"Allowed me to reconnect with people socially..."
“Having lost right sided hearing due to to an unusual condition called an acoustic neuroma I felt on the outside of conversations and quite isolated. Thanks to Keeley’s skill and attentiveness I was fitted with a CROS aid which improved the situation straightaway. From the first home consultation and assessment to the fitting of the hearing aid took only 9 days and made an immediate improvement which has allowed me to reconnect with people socially.”
Andrew S - Wimborne Minster
What are CROS hearing aids?
Contralateral Routing of Signal (CROS) hearing instruments are designed to redirect sound from the poorer ear to a receiver in your better-hearing ear. If you have a partial or non-hearing ear caused by (but not limited to) conditions such as acoustic neuroma, a viral or bacterial infection or Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL), a CROS system could be the ideal solution. There’s no need to try and ‘get by’ with a standard hearing aid in your deafer ear - which in some instances can make things worse or offer little hearing assistance at all.
With a CROS hearing system, you can:
Transfer sound and speech to your better ear
Hear sounds and understand speech clearly, from both directions
Enjoy one-to-one conversations without having to reposition yourself
Filter out background noise to help you stay focused on your environment
Improve your awareness of your surroundings
‘Train’ your brain to get used to new sounds and hear them with clarity
Enjoy automatic optimisation to different situations and noise levels.
"The CROS system is fantastic..."
"I wear a CROS system and have not regretted taking the plunge! Keeley could not have done more to set my mind at rest and she keeps regular aftercare appointments – she is always on hand if I have any problems or questions. The CROS system is fantastic and has transformed my hearing experience in every environment; in particular I can now enjoy a conversation in the car or in a social situation, in spite of the ambient noise. No one can see them, some friends have asked if I am even wearing them, and are surprised to learn that I am! I couldn't be happier with either the product or the expert service I received, and would not hesitate to recommend Keeley to anyone facing the same difficulty with their hearing."
Mrs G Conduit - previously of Wimborne (extract taken from Google review)
Simply switch on and you’re good to go
The beauty of a CROS hearing system is that you can simply switch it on, along with the hearing aid in your good ear, and you’ll instantly enjoy hearing from both sides. Like most modern hearing devices, CROS hearing aids are available in rechargeable models, offering the convenience of a full day’s use from a single charge.
You can also choose from a range of styles and colours to suit your personal preferences, and match your hearing aid on the other side.
"Vastly improved my interaction with others..."
“My experience with Key to Hearing has been fantastic, I can't praise Keeley highly enough for all that she has done. From the initial testing to the supply, setting up, fitting and adjustment of the hearing aids has all been very professional and directed to my requirements. I am totally deaf in one ear and having the aids has made it so much easier when in a crowded or noisy environment and means that I don't have to be so particular as to where I position myself in relation to other people and has vastly improved my interaction with others.”
Pete Davis - Poole
How does a CROS device work?
A CROS hearing aid picks up sounds using a microphone and transfers them wirelessly, enabling your good ear to work for both your ears. This means that, whichever direction you’re facing, you can pinpoint sounds and engage with your environment. The powerful technology used in CROS hearing systems means you can enjoy even subtler sounds, such as vocal inflections and musical nuances, and hear comfortably in crowded situations.
CROS hearing systems also offer the convenience of wireless streaming for listening to music, talking on the phone, watching TV and videos, and connecting to your other Bluetooth devices. Depending on your chosen device, other accessories are also available such as remote controls for volume and other functions, and remote microphones to help with one-to-one conversations in busy environments.
CROS or BiCROS – what’s the difference?
BiCROS solutions are available for people with little or no hearing in one ear and some level of hearing loss in their better ear. The technology works in the same way as CROS, by using a microphone placed on your poorer or non-hearing ear to send sounds to a hearing aid in your better-hearing ear. Like CROS, this enables you to hear from both directions.
How can Key to Hearing help with single sided deafness?
Our qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser, Keeley Salmon, will help you choose the right CROS or Bi CROS model for your level of hearing loss and lifestyle requirements. As independent hearing specialists, we have access to all the leading manufacturers and offer a selection of high quality devices featuring the latest technology.
When you’ve made your selection, Keeley will customise and programme your CROS hearing system to meet your precise needs and optimise your hearing. Your initial visit and aftercare services will all take place in the comfort of your own home.
"Totally changed my life..."
“I am pretty well stone deaf in my right ear and have a loss of hearing in my left ear. Keeley told me about a new device called CROS which has the effect of transferring sound from one ear (in my case the deaf one) to the good one. This has totally changed my life I now can attend meetings and go to restaurants and hear what is going on around me whereas before I was not really able to hear anything that was said to me on my right side”.
Mr R Froy – Burton Bradstock
Take your first steps to all-around hearing today
If you live in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wareham or elsewhere in the Dorset area, Key to Hearing can help you find the right solution to your single sided hearing loss. Please contact us today to arrange a hearing test and consultation. Once Keeley has assessed your hearing, we can arrange device trials and demonstrations of suitable CROS or BiCROS hearing aids, with no obligation to buy.