Cros Hearing Aid

[para1]

Hi everyone,

I was looking for some advice.  I am almost 6 months post op and I have been getting very frustrated by my SSD and the fact that it is very hard to understand conversations in public.  I went to a hearing specialist and he said that while he likes the BAHA that he doesn't think it's a good idea for me just yet because of my complications with my CSF leak.  He thinks I should wait awhile for another surgery even though it is a very simple procedure.  I am not interested in another surgery at this time anyway.  He was not too familiar with the Soundbite and he prefers the Cros over the Transear because the Transear is placed further into the ear canal and its a little less comfortable.  I would love to know your experiences with the Cros system before I spend the money.

Thanks!!!

[Paul F]

cros hearing aids have come a long way in the last few years.  I started wearing one about 6 years ago and they had nothing but problems, the biggest being the wire which ran from one device to the other.  I eventually went to the BAHA Intenso but, it wasn't for me, not programmable and just  amplified noise.  I have gone back to Cros aids.  The Phonak Cros system is fantastic.  In my case, its a bi-cros because I have hearing loss in my good ear.  They are programed to work together and they are really good in almost all environments.  They are also Bluetooth ready for your phone or TV.  At least check it out.  I believe you can get a 30 day trial with one.

[nftwoed]

Para 1;

  I have read posts from a Transear user of another group who really likes their Transear. The person credits the dedication of the Audiologist in it's fitting. Sometimes, the half shells needs hand sanding to provide an exact fit.
  BAHAs are an option only for some. I believe the sound transference is only about 35%, however.
  Then, there is a difference of response in left or right hearing losses. A left ear, left brain dominate, with R BAHA installation is superior in word discrimination in noise.
  Personally; I am an advocate of getting used to SSD, but, of course, that has only been my personal experience. I tried a couple straight Cros HAs and a Bi-Cros. For me, they made matters worse.
  I'm deaf L and have a profound loss, R now. A HA only brightens ambient sound. Not Coclear Implant material either as still have the AN on the R. I'm NF-2.

[leapyrtwins]

BAHAs are an option only for some. I believe the sound transference is only about 35%, however.
  Then, there is a difference of response in left or right hearing losses. A left ear, left brain dominate, with R BAHA installation is superior in word discrimination in noise.
 

I have never heard any of this and I've been a BAHA wearer (left side) for approximately 3 1/2 years.

Is there any scientific evidence behind this? or is this just your opinion?

Thanks,

Jan

[CHD63]

Not sure this is directly related or not, but my Ponto audiologist explained to me that the center for speech is in the left hemisphere of the brain.  Sound input from our ears goes to the opposite hemisphere.  Therefore, if your good "hearing" ear is the right ear, input goes directly to the left hemisphere, where the speech center is located.  If your good ear is the left ear, the sound input must first go to the right hemisphere and then the information back to the left side speech center.  Although this all happens very quickly, it is one additional step the brain must take to recognize speech.

She went on to say that if you had to be deaf in one ear, it was slightly to one's advantage to be deaf left.

Bottom line:  it is all in how well any person's brain adapts to new sound inputs when wearing a Ponto, BAHA, Cros, or Transear.  Many, many variables here.

Clarice

[Brewers7]

I opted for the Transear and I have been satisfied overall.  I had lots of complications and, like you, wasn't up for more surgery.  My audiologist was very high on Cros.  I still sruggle if there is a lot of background noise (restaurants).  Susan

[2puttchuck]

I tried both Transear and Phonak Bicros.  I found the Transear a little uncomfortable, and noticed a lot of "noise" transferred to my good ear.  For example, slight road noise when driving was roaring loud with the Transear, and it only moderately improved by hearing under noisy conditions - at least that was my experience -ymmv.  I have nothing but praise for my Phonak Bicros hearing aids.  Sound is very natural, and I can hear quite well, even in noisy conditions.  With a thirty day "free" trial period, I think you owe to to yourself to try the Phonak Bicros.

[james e]

I am SSD right, with a BAHA, and now my left ear is going south and I probably need some help there. Any suggestions there?

[leapyrtwins]

James -

when I got my BAHA I was 46 with perfect hearing in my "good" ear.

However, when I was still contemplating the BAHA,  I asked my neurotologist what I would do as I age and potentially my "good" ear isn't so good anymore.  He said in that case I could either wear a conventional hearing aid in my "good" ear, or just upgrade my BAHA to a stronger model.

For example, at the time I wore a Divino and he said that upgrading to the Intenso would probably do the trick.

I'm not sure if that's the solution for you or not; ask your audiologist or the doc who implanted your BAHA.

Good luck,

Jan

[tweety]

I have had the Phonak Cros aid for one 6 weeks. I am used to it and I feel it helps me ignore the tinnuitis I have in my right ear.  I definitely helps in noisy environments and I am able to hear someone on my right side talk without looking at them.  I had to have it turned up as I needed to hear more but the adjustment is what I needed and I do well with it.  When I don't have it in, my husband will say,  DOn't have your hearing aid in???    I guess it is noticeable.  Nothing is like your normal hearing but it does help.  It was a costly venture but you get one month to decide if you like it or not.  I can honestly say they are very comfortale and I can't tell I have them in my ears.  I am a nurse and can take BP's with them in.  It is amazing what they can do, but it is ashamed that insurances don't want to pay for hearing aids.  When the CEO;s of these big companies lose their hearing they will see how important it is to have some type of aid.  Tweety (Nancy)

[nftwoed]

Hi Jan;

  I'm sorry, I didn't save the links from another group. The statements are not my opinion.
  Hopefully, you are doing well with BAHA!

BAHAs are an option only for some. I believe the sound transference is only about 35%, however.
  Then, there is a difference of response in left or right hearing losses. A left ear, left brain dominate, with R BAHA installation is superior in word discrimination in noise.
 

I have never heard any of this and I've been a BAHA wearer (left side) for approximately 3 1/2 years.

Is there any scientific evidence behind this? or is this just your opinion?

Thanks,

Jan

[2puttchuck]

Donnalynn - you may want to check out the Cros system again.  Phonak now offers both a behind the ear model, which I have, and in the ear models.  This may solve the problem you had with them falling off.  I also believe they have introduced new models since you tried it in in 2009 or so.

[para1]

Thank you everyone for your advice.  I am going next week to an audiologist to discuss the cros hearing aid again.  I will let you know how it goes!!!

[leeclinton]

OK.  So I had my audiologist appointment at 8am this morning and got my trial Phonak CROS aids.  They were programmed and I went on to work and wore them the remainder of the day.  Here are my observations after 9 hours of continuous use:
1.  They are extremely small and light.  I didn't even realize I had them in, and others didn't notice until I mentioned them.
2.  The sound quality is excellent.  It sounded like regular sound.  No tinniness, no robotic sound, etc.
3.  I went out to lunch with co-workers and didn't have to fret about which seat I got.  I was able to hear the person seated immediately to my left without issue.
4.  After work, my wife tried whispering in my deaf ear and she was amazed when I was able to repeat back what she said.

So far, I am extremely satisfied.  I will continue to wear these almost non-stop during this free trial of several months and will continue to report back as time passes.  For now I give them an A.

Lee

[Kathleen_Mc]

I had Cros hearing aids a few years ago (over 10), the one's I had were wireless. When I first got them it was wonderful, unfortunately they developed functional problems, after sending them for repair three times I got frustrated and in the closet they went......never looked back. Hopefully the technology is better and they won't do this.
Kathleen