Contralateral Routing Of Sound

[akoo]

Has anyone tried using a Contralateral Routing Of Sound (CROS) hearing system?
Something like this...
http://www.puretone.net/pdf/general/RelayEndUserBrochure.pdf

How effective is the CROS?
The other option is the BAHA system which requires surgical implant which I am trying to avoid. Is benefit of BAHA worth the trouble of an implant?

[PamJ]

I was given the CROS and a BAHA on a headband to try for two weeks to see which one I preferred.  I didn't get on with the CROS at all as you have an hearing aid in each each and a wire going from one to the other at the back of the neck and it kept catching on my clothes.  I know have the BAHA fully fitted and am really glad I chose it I know it means an operation but I found the sound much much better than the CROS because the sound from the CROS has to go through your hair and scalp but the BAHA picks up the sound through my skull bone direct
I have the Ponto Pro

[Paul F]

I have used both the BAHA and the Cros.  I did not get along well the the BAHA Intenso at all and had the abutment removed.  I then went to the Phonic bi-cros.  The new Cros aids are much improved, no more wire going around the back of the head. 

The draw back is, most insurance company's won't cover the Cros.

Paul 

[alabamajane]

contemplating which way I want to go also,, talked with Dr last week, and if I  understood,, I would be candidate for Cros in only one ear as I have excellent hearing in good ear but SSD in AN ear...

little leary of BAHA surgery also even though I know it is nothing nearly as intense as AN surgery,, just not sure up to it..and not sure up to abutement on side of head..

still thinking,, SSD not TOO bad really..

[PamJ]

The wireless one sounds good but I didn't want an hearing aid in my good ear but I thinks it's a really personal thing.  Good luck with whatever ever one you choose

[leapyrtwins]

My doc didn't recommend the CROS for me; he thought the BAHA would be a better option.

I agreed and went with the BAHA.  Have never regretted that decision. 

The implant is really no trouble - surgery is quick and healing is typically without issues.  Maintenance of the abutment is pretty non-existent too, once your site has healed.

It's definitely a personal choice, but I think the BAHA is well worth it.  Plus, my insurance company paid for the surgery and the implant, which meant I could afford it.

Jan

[PamJ]

I'm with you on this one Jan I love my Ponto Pro

[mk]

To go back  to the original question, there are quite a few recent threads on the Cros. You may want to check them out:

http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=16219.0
http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=17469.0
http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=16500.0

The Cros has been significantly updated in the last two years - there are no wires anymore. Some people find it quite effective, and some less so. In my experience I found that the audiologist had to make quite a few adjustments to make it work better.

Marianna