CROS and BiCROS Hearing aids

For ‘Single-Sided Deafness’

Are you deaf in One Ear ?

Single-sided deafness is defined as having one dead ear (non aid-able) combined with normal hearing OR an aid-able hearing loss in the other ear.

The best hearing aid solution for singlesided deafness being:

CROS hearing aids for this who have 1 dead ear + 1 very good ear
Bi-CROS hearing aids for those who have 1 dead ear + 1 ear hearing loss

There are three main difficulties for those people who suffer complete deafness in one ear:

Loss of localising sound direction – using just the one ear makes it very difficult to know where sounds have come from.
Understanding speech in noise – the brain has an amazing ability to suppress out unwanted sounds, but it can only do this when listening in stereo.
The head shadow effect – low frequency sounds are longer in wavelength and can travel around the head, but high frequency sounds are shorter in wavelength and are shielded by the head. And because high frequency components of speech dictate clarity this makes it difficult for people to follow conversations from their dead side without turning their head all the time.

CROS stands for ‘Contra-lateral Routing of Signal‘.

Watch this excellent video by Phonak

Note: CROS II has been superseded,

But we like the video!

What is the best CROS Hearing Aid?

The best CROS hearing aid ultimately depends on three things:

which amplified sound response works best for you
what set up offers the right level of control – inc mobile phone use
what style of hearing aid you want to wear

So a few things to consider:

Do you want compatibility with iPhone or Android?
Do you want behind-ear or in-ear?
How discreet do you want it to look?
Do you want rechargeable?

See our testimonials below!

Battery life can be poorer with CROS hearing aids as they are continuously streaming to the hearing aid, so this could also be a consideration – rechargeable CROS hearing aids are now an option, but will they give you a full day of use? – especially with audio streaming (phone-calls or TV), and allowing for degradation of the battery over a few years.

One key dual feature that you will likely benefit from is CROS balance AND CROS volume control.

CROS balance allows you to swing the focus of sound to either side – your good ear, or your dead ear.
CROS volume control allows you to raise and lower both sides in sync.

Also you require programme control or phone app control – so that you can turn the CROS off when not needed, to save battery drain, and so as not to introduce sounds from the deaf ear when you are solely focused on your good side (maybe when driving).

Read more on made for iPhone OR made for Android.

Starkey CROS Hearing Aids – Presentation Here

(You may need to rotate it)

If you want an invisible CROS hearing aids then the Signia SILK may be what you need.

Signia SILK CROS – Now also rechargeable!!!!

Signia SILK CROS Hearing Aids – More Info Here

TESTIMONIALS - For CROS hearing aids

Hi John,

All is going well with the crossover hearing aids. I’ve been able to attend meetings and hear perfectly well. Its made a huge difference to my work life, the eadaches I’d been getting due to trying to concentrate so hard to hear have now gone as well.

I’ve been fine with the cleaning of them and they are comfortable (after initially feeling a little different).

The settings seem fine, I have used the SIGNIA app on a number of occasions to adjust to the environment I’m in.

Thanks for following up. I’ll be in touch if I have any problems.

Best regards, Alan (Signia Pure AX Bi-CROS)

Dear John, Just to let you know that I have already received my hearing aids back from Phonak repair. A very good service. This CROS system that you recommended has been a great success and the service received from both Phonak and yourself has been extremely professional. Thank you. Peter Bywater.

Hi John,

Just to let you know I am really pleased with the volume remote, it is excellent. I am also amazed that with my good ear having the volume to max or just under I can hear quite well through my deaf ear without the Cros. As stated before this is just incredible and do not understand why my deaf ear can hear at all, let alone well. The Cros makes the hearing really good so I will still need to wear this as well, especially in group situations.

So all I can say is a big thank you and hope everything continues as of now. Obviously I will need to see you again from time to time so do I just wait until I need my ears cleared of wax again, or what ? I am so pleased I came to you and thank you for your patience. Your web attachment will mean I can purchase everything I need in the meantime.

Cheers

John B

Crystal Hearing can supply all CROS & BiCROS hearing aids via our clinic in Marlow – surrounding areas include High Wycombe, Maidenhead, Reading, Slough, Henley, Beaconsfield and other areas in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. We have UK wide affiliates who can supply these hearing aids – please call us.