Phonak Sphere or BiCROS

I lost hearing in one ear some 50 years ago [too near a rock concert speaker], but managed without HAs till 2017. I think I misspoke when I said directional hearing; what I meant was hearing conversation from my deaf side [e.g. dinner table at noisy restaurant]. So, would a single Sphere HA compensate sufficiently for no CROS HA sound pick-up from my deaf side? That’s my query.

Ahh, too long ago then probably. Probably.

The Sphere wouldn’t overcome the headshadow effect, no. But it might give you a speech in noise benefit that feels more valuable. It’s probably going to be pretty individual.

I am in the same situation (see my audiogram) except that I have an implant in my left ear, so a Sphere without CROS is a no-brainer for me. It would be more ideal if the Sphere HA could communicate with the sound processor as in the Phonak or Naida CI Marvel binaural hearing aids.

As for you:

1. You can trial CROS Infinio + Infinio without Sphere, but it is hard to say whether it will help in your particular case. Ideally, you should have REM, but the probability of doing it only for a test without financial compensation is low, which is understandable because of the extra work and time spent by HCP

2. Theoretically, you could have better outcomes with a configuration like mine. Consider a CI evaluation, and be patient and persistent. As Neville said, some doctors still believe that a CI is not for single-sided deafness.

CI is very good at reproducing high frequencies, which would otherwise be affected by the head shadow effect on the deaf side…

If you can, please upload your audiogram by clicking “FORUM” at the top of the website and then “Hearing tests.”

@Bimodal_user said:

Consider a CI evaluation, and be patient and persistent. As Neville said, some doctors still believe that a CI is not for single-sided deafness.

After 50 years of unaided deafness is probably going to be a no in Ontario. If it were bilateral it definitely would be a no as outcomes as so poor after long term auditory deprivation. Unilateral is a little less clear, as the auditory system is very strongly binaural and so hearing in the other ear may support better outcomes in the deaf ear, but still… Fifty years. I think the longest unilateral unaided I’ve seen get implanted at this point was about ten or twelve years for a young adult. They got benefit, but not the same benefit as my consistently aided adults who have been implanted.

@Neville said:

I think the longest unilateral unaided I’ve seen get implanted at this point was about ten or twelve years for a young adult.

I’m not sure does it is new reseach, which suggest that “deaf gap” have less importance than was though, but I don’t want to push opinion forcibly.

I have had left ear deaf for 20 years before I had implantation when I was 24yo. Indeed, at the beginning and wearing sound processor for 3 years I didn’t get much improvement. So then I put processor to the drawer for about 6 years.

When I used this forum, I received advice in April 2023 from @Raudrive to better isolate the ear during rehabilitation as much as possible. So I streamed more to the sound processor only.
Results - 80% WRS (CI side only) after 9 months.

I know this is a “case report” and does not definitively prove my point compared to randomized multicenter trials, but…

There is a promontory test, which also could help to make decisions about CI efficiency postoperatively as one of the variables to be considered.

Depending on the cause of deafness, after 50 years, the cochlea may be completely ossified, which makes implantation impossible.
However, I can’t be strict in suggesting that, because this is checked by high-resolution computed tomography of the head.

Good outcomes.

But we have universal healthcare in Canada and the research showing benefit has to be strong enough before something will be funded publically.

@Chris_A said:

Over the years I have consulted ENTs as well as Audiologists. CI was ruled out long ago for whatever reason that was deemed appropriate.

All right, if a consultation about CI took place and then a decision was made. I thought you didn’t discuss that option with specialists.

@Neville said:

Good outcomes.

But we have universal healthcare in Canada and the research showing benefit has to be strong enough before something will be funded publically.

Thanks. Yes, I agree that the efficacy of the procedure must be proven.

I had been evaluated in two different places in 2011 and was not qualified for CI due to insufficient evidence to help people with hearing loss like mine. However, there must be new research data in the meantime because, unexpectedly, I was qualified in 2013 during my annual appointment with an ENT and audiologist.

I am deaf in one ear, so when I got Phonak Bi-CROS HAs over 7 years ago, I was so happy that I could hear sounds from my deaf ear side. Earlier this year I obtained the ReSound Nexia Bi-CROS HAs, and I’m very happy with them so far. I also got a Multi Mic for my husband to wear, so I hear him so much better, especially in the car.

Good luck to you.