What Are CROS Hearing Aids and How Do They Help with Single-Sided Deafness?

Living with single-sided deafness (SSD) can be frustrating. You may miss conversations on one side, have to constantly turn your head, and feel left out in group discussions. However, technology can help. In this post, I will share my experience with the Oticon CROS hearing aid that I received free through the NHS. I will explain how they work, the features I appreciate most, and practical tips for keeping them in top condition. Whether you are researching CROS versus BiCROS hearing aids or wondering if you can obtain them through the NHS, this guide will help you decide if they are suitable for you.

What Are CROS Hearing Aids?

CROS stands for Contralateral Routing of Signal. If one ear cannot hear at all, a CROS device picks up sound from that ear and wirelessly sends it to the ear that can hear. It is like giving your “bad ear” a voice again.

If you still have some hearing in your good ear but also need amplification, there is a variation called BiCROS. This both transmits sound from the deaf side and amplifies input on the hearing side.

How Do CROS Hearing Aids Work?

A CROS system has two main parts:

1. A transmitter microphone on the deaf side, which picks up sound.
2. A receiver on the hearing side, which plays that sound directly to your good ear.

The two parts communicate wirelessly, so you can hear from both sides in one ear. They do not restore true stereo hearing or the ability to detect the direction of sound, but they remove the “dead zone” where sound is completely missed.

Brands, Options and Costs

CROS hearing aids come in different brands, styles, and price ranges.

• Private prices: Approximately £1,500 to £3,000 per pair, depending on features, style, and brand. Rechargeable models and those with advanced connectivity are generally more expensive.
• NHS option: I use Oticon CROS hearing aids, provided free through the NHS. They are excellent, but other popular brands include Phonak, Widex, and Signia.
• Power options:
  • Battery-powered (like mine) – simply replace the batteries when required.
  • Rechargeable – charge them overnight, with no need to handle batteries.

Modern Features I Appreciate

• Bluetooth connectivity: Pairs with your phone, tablet, or computer, allowing your CROS device to act as a hands-free headset for calls, music, and podcasts.
• App-based control: On iPhones, no extra application is needed. On Android, you will need to install the brand’s application. Physical buttons are often disabled by the audiologist to prevent accidental adjustments.
• Broadcast and streaming feature: Listen directly from your phone, television, or other devices without background noise.
• Comfortable fit: They are light, discreet, and after a few days you may forget you are wearing them.

Maintenance Tips for Clearer Sound and Longer Battery Life

• Keep the tube clean: If the tiny tube in the receiver becomes blocked, voices may sound muffled or disappear entirely. Use the cleaning tool provided by your audiologist.
• Open battery doors: When you are not wearing the hearing aids, open the battery doors to prevent unnecessary battery drain.
• Daily routine: I wear mine all day and remove them at night. Sleeping on my good ear gives me complete quiet, which is a surprising benefit of SSD.

CROS Hearing Aids in Everyday Life

Recently, on a walk with Ian, I asked him to stay on my bad side – something I could never do before. We chatted comfortably without me twisting my neck or repeatedly asking him to speak up. For someone with SSD, moments like these are truly valuable.

What CROS Hearing Aids Cannot Do

CROS hearing aids will not restore your ability to locate where sounds are coming from. This remains a limitation with single-sided deafness. However, they will make conversations more natural, reduce the need to reposition yourself, and help to ease listening fatigue.

How to Get CROS Hearing Aids for Free on the NHS

If you believe you might benefit from a CROS hearing aid and live in the UK:

1. Book an appointment with your GP and explain your single-sided hearing loss.
2. Request a referral to your local NHS audiology department.
3. When you see the audiologist, specifically mention CROS aids, as not all clinics automatically offer them.
4. If you are eligible, you can have them fitted free of charge, along with ongoing provision of batteries and maintenance.

Considering that the private cost can be thousands of pounds, NHS provision is a life-changing option.

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Share Your Experience

If you use CROS hearing aids, or are considering them, share your experience. Have they made daily life easier for you? Which brand do you use? Please share your thoughts in the comments so that others can learn from your journey.