Crossover Hearing Aids: A Solution for Single-Sided Deafness

For those experiencing single-sided deafness, navigating conversations and everyday sounds can be challenging. If you find it difficult to hear people or sounds on one side, or constantly need to turn your head to follow a conversation, you may benefit from specialized hearing solutions known as CROS and BiCROS hearing aids—or crossover hearing aids. These devices are designed to support individuals with hearing loss in one ear, offering a more balanced listening experience.

What Are CROS and BiCROS Hearing Aids?

CROS and BiCROS hearing aids are sometimes called crossover hearing aids. They are advanced systems that help reroute sound from a non-hearing ear to the ear with better hearing capability. While traditional hearing aids amplify sound for both ears, CROS and BiCROS hearing aids focus specifically on addressing single-sided hearing loss by transferring sound between ears in unique ways. This functionality is why they are frequently referred to as crossover hearing aids.

• CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) Hearing Aids:

  These crossover hearing aids are designed for individuals with normal or near-normal hearing in one ear and profound or complete hearing loss in the other. The CROS system picks up sound from the non-hearing ear using a microphone and sends it wirelessly to the hearing ear, helping the user better perceive sounds that would otherwise be missed on the affected side.

• BiCROS Hearing Aids:

  These crossover hearing aids are ideal for those who experience some degree of hearing loss in both ears, with one ear significantly worse than the other. Like CROS hearing aids, BiCROS hearing aids pick up sound from the non-hearing ear and transmit it to the better ear, but it also amplifies sound in the better ear to improve overall hearing capability.

The Benefits of CROS and BiCROS Hearing Aids

Single-sided deafness can create specific challenges, such as difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments or an inability to tell where sounds are coming from. CROS and BiCROS crossover hearing aids are designed to overcome these challenges, providing a clearer, more immersive hearing experience.

Improved Communication

In conversations, especially in social situations where multiple people are speaking, it can be hard to follow what’s being said when one ear isn’t functioning. CROS and BiCROS crossover hearing aids allow you to hear speech coming from both sides, improving your ability to follow conversations without having to reposition yourself constantly. This is particularly helpful in restaurants, at meetings, or in group settings where sounds are coming from various directions.

Better Spatial Awareness

One of the significant difficulties for people with single-sided deafness is the loss of spatial awareness—knowing where sounds are coming from. Whether you’re crossing a busy street or trying to hear someone call your name, CROS and BiCROS crossover hearing aids restore some of that awareness, allowing you to react more naturally to your surroundings.

Reduced Listening Effort

Without the need to strain or shift positions to catch sound from your non-hearing side, CROS and BiCROS crossover hearing aids ease the cognitive load of listening. This reduction in effort makes communication smoother and less exhausting, especially in challenging sound environments.

Who Can Benefit From Crossover Hearing Aids?

CROS hearing aids are best suited for individuals with good hearing in one ear and little to no hearing in the other. They are effective for people who have lost hearing in one ear due to conditions such as:

• Sudden hearing loss
• Acoustic neuroma (tumor)
• Trauma or injury
• Congenital conditions

BiCROS hearing aids are an excellent solution for individuals who have hearing loss in both ears but significantly more severe loss in one ear. These devices are designed for people who need additional amplification beyond sound routing, providing a more comprehensive solution for both sides of hearing loss.

You Have Crossover Hearing Aid Options at Beltone

When considering CROS or BiCROS crossover hearing aids, it’s important to consult a hearing care professional who can help you find the right fit for your needs. For those exploring their options, the Beltone Serene™ family of hearing aids offers advanced CROS and BiCROS crossover hearing aids that provide seamless sound transmission, exceptional comfort, and features designed to meet individual hearing preferences.

If you're experiencing single-sided deafness and think crossover hearing aids might be the right solution for you, talk to a Beltone hearing care specialist to learn more about how these devices can enhance your hearing experience.