The arrival of the new Oticon CROS RE system is a reminder that hearing loss doesn't always affect both ears equally.
While most people think of hearing aids as devices that amplify sound in two ears, some people have little or no usable hearing in one ear whilst hearing normally, or relatively well, in the other. This condition, often referred to as single-sided deafness (SSD) or single-sided hearing loss, presents a unique set of challenges that traditional hearing aids cannot always address.
The launch of Oticon CROS RE is noteworthy because it brings CROS technology onto the same platform as the popular Oticon Intent and new Oticon Reveal hearing aids, using the same design, rechargeable technology and charging accessories.
But what exactly is a CROS system, and who is it designed to help?
What is a CROS system?
CROS stands for Contralateral Routing of Signal.
A CROS system is designed specifically for people who have little or no usable hearing in one ear but good hearing in the other. Rather than trying to amplify sound in an ear that cannot benefit from amplification, a CROS system captures sound from the poorer-hearing side and wirelessly sends it to the better-hearing ear.
A typical CROS solution consists of:
- A transmitter worn on the poorer-hearing ear
- A hearing aid or receiver worn on the better-hearing ear
The result is improved awareness of sounds and speech that would otherwise be coming from a "dead side".
Why can single-sided hearing loss be so challenging?
People with hearing loss in one ear often develop coping strategies without realising it.
You might find yourself:
- Choosing a particular seat in a restaurant
- Positioning people on your better-hearing side
- Turning your head frequently during conversations
- Struggling to hear someone walking beside you
- Finding group conversations surprisingly tiring
One of the biggest difficulties is that sounds arriving on the poorer-hearing side may be missed altogether. Distance and background noise can make matters even more challenging.
A CROS system helps by making sounds from both sides accessible through the better-hearing ear.
Who might benefit from a CROS system?
A CROS system may be appropriate for people who:
- Have little or no usable hearing in one ear
- Have experienced sudden hearing loss in one ear
- Have hearing loss following surgery, illness or injury
- Struggle to hear people speaking on their poorer-hearing side
- Frequently reposition themselves during conversations to hear better
There is also a variation known as BiCROS.
A standard CROS system is typically used when the better ear has normal hearing. A BiCROS system is used when the better ear also has hearing loss and requires amplification.
Oticon CROS RE: What's new?
It's important to remember that CROS technology itself is not new.
Several major hearing aid manufacturers, including Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Starkey, Widex and ReSound , offer CROS or BiCROS solutions for people with single-sided hearing loss.
What makes Oticon CROS RE interesting is not that it invents a new category, but that it brings single-sided hearing loss users onto Oticon's latest hearing aid platform.
For existing or prospective Oticon users, the new system offers some practical benefits:
- The same discreet styling used by modern Oticon hearing aids
- Compatibility with the latest Oticon platform technology
- Shared chargers and accessories with compatible hearing aids
- Rechargeable convenience
- Modern wireless connectivity features
This means people requiring a CROS solution no longer feel quite so separate from the mainstream hearing aid range.
How have modern CROS systems evolved?
Earlier generations of CROS systems focused primarily on moving sound from one side of the head to the other.
Today's systems have become far more sophisticated.
For example, modern Oticon CROS technology incorporates features designed to improve access to speech whilst managing background noise more effectively. Oticon's CROS products also support TwinLink™ technology, allowing environmental sounds and Bluetooth streaming to work simultaneously.
In practical terms, that means a user could be streaming audio from a phone or television whilst still receiving sounds from their poorer-hearing side.
Similar advances have been seen across the hearing industry, with manufacturers continuing to improve connectivity, rechargeability and speech understanding in challenging environments.
Is a CROS system better than a hearing aid?
Not necessarily. They simply solve different problems.
For most people with hearing loss in both ears, conventional hearing aids remain the most appropriate solution.
However, when one ear has little or no usable hearing, a traditional hearing aid may provide limited benefit on that side. In these situations, a CROS or BiCROS system can sometimes offer a more effective way of accessing sounds from across the listening environment.
Finding the Right Solution
Single-sided hearing loss affects everyone differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
The arrival of Oticon CROS RE is a welcome addition to the range of options available, but it is only one of several CROS solutions now offered across the hearing industry.
The best approach depends on your hearing levels, lifestyle and communication needs.
If you are struggling to hear from one side, experiencing single-sided hearing loss, or would like to understand the difference between hearing aids, CROS and BiCROS systems, an Audiologist can help determine which option is most appropriate for you.
Book a Free Hearing Test
If you have concerns about hearing in one ear, a Free Hearing Test is the best place to start. At House of Hearing, our Audiologists can assess your hearing, explain the options available and help you find the solution that best fits your lifestyle.