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Hearing loss doesn’t always affect both ears equally. For some individuals, it affects only one ear — a condition known as single-sided deafness (SSD). People with SSD often experience challenges like difficulty locating sound sources, understanding speech in noisy environments, and maintaining spatial awareness.
The good news is that today’s medical and technological advancements offer several effective treatment options for single-sided deafness. From CROS hearing aid systems and bone-anchored hearing aids to cochlear implants and rehabilitation therapies, there are personalised solutions designed to restore hearing balance and quality of life.
At The Hearing Centre Singapore, expert audiologists use modern diagnostic tools and global hearing technologies to create customised hearing care plans. This guide explores the causes, challenges, and most recommended treatment options for single-sided deafness, helping you understand which solution might be right for you.
Understanding Single-Sided Deafness
What Is Single-Sided Deafness (SSD)?
Single-sided deafness refers to complete or near-complete hearing loss in one ear, while the other ear maintains normal or near-normal hearing. It may occur suddenly due to nerve damage, infection, trauma, or gradually over time from age or illness.
In SSD, the brain receives sound input from only one side, which makes localising sound and filtering background noise extremely difficult. Even in quiet environments, understanding speech can be exhausting.
Common Causes of SSD
- Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL): A rapid loss of hearing in one ear, often due to viral infections or nerve damage.
- Acoustic Neuroma: A benign tumour affecting the auditory nerve.
- Head Trauma: Physical injury damaging the inner ear or auditory nerve.
- Ear Infections: Chronic or untreated infections that cause permanent hearing loss.
- Meniere’s Disease: An inner ear condition causing vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing fluctuations.
A comprehensive hearing test is crucial for identifying the exact cause and level of hearing loss before determining the best treatment.
Challenges Faced by People with Single-Sided Deafness
Single-sided hearing loss affects more than just hearing—it impacts confidence, safety, and quality of communication. Common challenges include:
- Difficulty Locating Sound Sources: Without input from both ears, identifying where sounds come from is hard.
- Struggles in Noisy Environments: Restaurants, meetings, and crowded places can feel overwhelming.
- Listening Fatigue: The functioning ear must work harder to process sounds, leading to exhaustion.
- Reduced Speech Understanding: Especially when sound comes from the deaf side.
- Safety Concerns: Crossing roads or reacting to sudden noises can be risky.
Fortunately, these challenges can be significantly improved with modern rehabilitation technologies available at The Hearing Centre Singapore.
CROS and BiCROS Hearing Aid Systems
What Is a CROS System?
The CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) system is one of the most common and non-invasive treatment options for single-sided deafness. It involves two small hearing devices — one placed on the deaf ear and the other on the hearing ear.
The microphone on the deaf side picks up sounds and wirelessly transmits them to the hearing ear, ensuring that you can hear from both directions.
How It Works
- CROS system: For individuals with one completely deaf ear and one normal ear.
- BiCROS system: For individuals with one deaf ear and one ear with some hearing loss.
Benefits
- Improves awareness of sounds coming from the deaf side.
- Enhances clarity in conversations in noisy places.
- Non-surgical and comfortable to wear.
- Easy to adapt and adjust through mobile apps.
Phonak CROS and Signia CROS Systems
At The Hearing Centre Singapore, you’ll find advanced Phonak CROS Lumity and Signia CROS Pure systems that use Bluetooth and AI sound processing for superior performance. These devices allow users to enjoy natural hearing without wires or complex setup.
Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA)
Understanding Bone Conduction Hearing
Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) use bone conduction technology to send sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through the skull, bypassing the damaged ear canal and middle ear structures.
They are an excellent solution for people whose deaf ear cannot transmit sound via traditional pathways.
How Bone Anchored Hearing Aids Work
A small implant or external sound processor is placed behind the deaf ear. It converts sound waves into vibrations that travel through the bone to the functioning cochlea of the good ear.
Key Advantages
- Provides clear, direct sound perception.
- Reduces background noise interference.
- Enhances speech understanding in challenging environments.
- Can be used with or without surgery, depending on the device type.
BAHA at The Hearing Centre Singapore
At The Hearing Centre Singapore, specialists provide both implantable and non-surgical bone conduction hearing solutions. They perform detailed ear measurements (learn more) to ensure proper fit and comfort for long-term use.
Cochlear Implant for Single-Sided Deafness
What Is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted medical device that restores hearing by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass the damaged part of the ear entirely.
When Is It Recommended?
Cochlear implants are suitable for individuals with profound hearing loss in one ear who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids.
How It Works
The implant includes:
- External processor: Captures sound and converts it into digital signals.
- Internal receiver and electrode array: Sends electrical signals directly to the auditory nerve.
These signals are then interpreted by the brain as sound, allowing the user to perceive hearing from the previously deaf side.
Benefits of Cochlear Implantation
- Restores spatial hearing and sound localisation.
- Improves understanding in background noise.
- Enhances overall sound quality and clarity.
- Provides long-term rehabilitation potential.
Learn more about cochlear implant treatment options at The Hearing Centre Singapore, where experienced audiologists and surgeons work together to ensure safe and effective results.
Hearing Therapy and Rehabilitation
The Role of Hearing Therapy
Even with advanced devices, adapting to new hearing experiences takes time. Hearing therapy helps the brain re-learn how to process and interpret sounds.
This form of hearing rehabilitation focuses on improving:
- Sound localisation
- Speech recognition
- Listening focus
- Confidence in social communication
Hearing Rehabilitation at The Hearing Centre Singapore
At The Hearing Centre Singapore, hearing therapy is personalised for every patient. Through structured training sessions and follow-up support, patients gradually regain balanced hearing abilities.
Therapists may also recommend audiological tests such as:
These tests ensure your device settings and therapy progress are continuously monitored for optimal results.
Choosing the Right Treatment for Single-Sided Deafness
Selecting the most effective treatment for single-sided deafness (SSD) is not a one-size-fits-all process. It requires a careful evaluation of several key factors to ensure the best possible hearing outcome. These include:
- Degree and cause of hearing loss – Understanding whether the hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed helps determine which technology will be most effective. For instance, someone with a damaged cochlea may benefit from a cochlear implant, while others with conductive issues might respond better to bone-anchored solutions.
- Health of the better ear – The hearing ability of the better ear plays a major role in choosing a suitable device. If the good ear functions normally, certain systems like CROS can redirect sound effectively.
- Lifestyle and hearing goals – Your daily activities, work environment, and social habits influence the type of hearing device that best fits your needs. For example, individuals who attend meetings or social events frequently may prefer wireless streaming features and noise reduction technology.
- Willingness for surgical or non-surgical options – Some treatments, like bone-anchored hearing aids or cochlear implants, require surgery, while options like CROS or BiCROS hearing aids are completely non-invasive.
Conclusion
Single-sided deafness can be life-changing, but with today’s advanced technologies, there are several effective and personalised treatment options. Whether through CROS systems, bone-anchored hearing aids, or cochlear implants, hearing can be restored with impressive clarity and balance.
If you or a loved one struggles with one-sided hearing loss, don’t wait—schedule a consultation at The Hearing Centre Singapore today. With expert audiologists, precise diagnostic tools, and world-class hearing devices, your journey to better hearing begins here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
It can result from infections, trauma, nerve damage, or sudden hearing loss conditions like SSHL.
Yes, various solutions such as CROS systems, bone-anchored hearing aids, and cochlear implants can help improve hearing.
It transmits sound from the deaf ear to the good ear, helping you hear sounds coming from both sides.
No, only cochlear implants and some bone-anchored systems involve surgery. Others, like CROS devices, are non-invasive.
Most users adapt within a few weeks with regular use and follow-up therapy.
Yes, modern BAHA systems are lightweight and designed for long-term comfort.
Individuals with severe to profound hearing loss in one ear who gain little benefit from hearing aids.
It’s a therapy program that trains your brain to adjust to new hearing input after getting a hearing device.
A comprehensive hearing test and audiologist consultation will determine the most suitable option.
You can visit The Hearing Centre Singapore for diagnostic tests, hearing device fitting, and complete aftercare services.
Evlin is passionate about helping people with hearing loss. With years of experience in audiology, she has diagnosed and treated a wide range of hearing conditions across all age groups. She is accredited to conduct comprehensive hearing assessments and provide treatments for patients from newborns to the elderly. Committed to personalized care, she strives to empower patients to fully engage in life with better hearing.
Designation: Clinical Audiologist
Qualification: Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) (Audiology), University of Science Malaysia
Membership: .Society of Audiology Professionals in Singapore (SAPS)