SINGLE-SIDED DEAFNESS CARLSBAD CA

We Provide Treatment for Individuals with SSD 

Single-sided deafness (SSD), also known as unilateral hearing loss, is a medical condition characterized by hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing in the other ear. Although bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss is more common, approximately 60,000 individuals are diagnosed with SSD each year in the United States. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for SSD, and conventional amplification devices have had limited success in treating this condition. Fortunately, the hearing experts at Hearing and Brain Centers of America offer alternative options for managing single-sided deafness. We serve residents throughout the Carlsbad, CA, area.

What Causes Single-Sided Deafness? 

SSD can be attributed to several factors, with one of the most prevalent being acoustic neuroma, a non-cancerous and gradually developing tumor that exerts pressure on the auditory nerve, affecting the hearing ability in one ear.

Sudden deafness, on the other hand, is a condition commonly linked with SSD, characterized by a rapid onset of hearing loss without any prior indications, typically following a viral infection. Patients may experience sudden deafness due to cochlear inflammation leading to permanent damage to the hearing hair cells.

Other causes of SSD include:

• Trauma to the head
• Genetic disorders
• Meniere’s disease
• Labyrinthitis
• Microtia
• Mastoiditis
• Common childhood diseases such as measles & mumps

Individuals with SSD experience difficulties in comprehending speech in noisy environments and have challenges in localizing sounds, which involves recognizing the direction or source of a sound. Accurate sound localization relies on fine hearing cues from both ears, and the absence of one ear can confuse the brain. Patients may also experience symptoms such as stress, anxiety, social isolation, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and speaking at a higher volume.

What Treatments Are Available for SSD?

Although single-sided deafness is an incurable condition, our hearing experts can provide patients with a range of coping techniques. Traditional hearing aids have limited efficacy for those suffering from SSD, but Contralateral Routing of Signal (CROS) hearing aids can improve hearing and localization.

CROS hearing aids consist of a microphone positioned near the affected ear and an amplifier near the unaffected ear. The microphone picks up sounds and transmits them to the good ear. BICROS, a similar device, is suitable for those with some hearing loss in one ear and total deafness in the other.

Another option is a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA), which is a surgically implanted device that uses direct bone conduction to transmit sounds from the affected ear to the normal ear. The vibrations in the bones of the ear canal and middle ear stimulate the hair cells of the cochlea and improve hearing.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re suffering from SSD, you’re not alone. And the team at Hearing and Brain Centers of America is here to help you. During a Complimentary New Patient Consultation, we will learn more about your hearing difficulties, conduct a hearing evaluation, and tell you more about your treatment options. We’ll also devise a comprehensive treatment plan. Call us today at (760) 230-9638 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation at our Valparaiso Clinic. We proudly serve residents in and around Carlsbad, CA.