Single-Sided Deafness: What Are Your Options?

In this video, Emma discusses Single-Sided Deafness (SSD), or unilateral hearing loss - what exactly is it, what are the challenges faced by someone with SSD, and what are some of the options currently available to address it?

[jaredleyden]

I was born deaf in my left ear as well :), I’m 21 years old and to this day I haven’t felt the absolute need to get treatment or surgery either. But tbh there are it’s moments which I’m sure you know what I mean. It does upset me at times tho, I wish more people knew or just understood me. I was always left out on things and people wouldn’t have patience for me. Altho, I think about how much it truly has molded me into the person I am today. I like quiet space, engaging in meaningful conversations. I’ve learn to be humbled and be thankful for what I CAN hear.

[Greystache]

I suffered a SSNHL last year. I literally woke up deaf in my left ear after going to bed the night before with perfect hearing. Despite treatment and best efforts I never got my hearing back.

I’m booked in for surgery for a Cochlear implant soon. This video played a role in helping me decide the best solution from the options I tried. I’ve watched it numerous times and really appreciate the simple and clear advice. Thank you

[lindakeefer]

I’ve had single sided deafness since I was 5 or 6 years old. I was fitted with hearing aids by audiologists who sold me aids while not explaining I didn’t have enough hearing on my bad side for aids to benefit me. Also, the ear piece frequently gave me ear infections. Then in late 2020 when I had a hearing test the ENT told me about Cochlear’s new Osia system that the FDA (in the US) had just approved. Osia is a much improved bone anchor system with technology that’s significantly much better. 4 months later I was implanted and 6 weeks after that received my processor. After decades I can finally hear. I’m so grateful for this newest technology.

[asparagusstaging]

I'm 28 and I was born completely deaf in my right ear. Without background noise (groups chatting, loud music, heavy rain, ) I can hear just as good as most people from all directions. But I can't tell the direction of sound and this makes me awkward and stressed out in groups. In fact, when I was about 8 I was misdiagnosed with autism because of my very poor social skills. In my private life this has very little effect on me and sometimes I even forget that I'm half deaf. But my public/work life has been severely limited because of it. All the careers I wanted to pursue In life I couldn't join including the navy/air force or working on big boats. Although, it feels unfair, it's understandable why though. Most jobs I've had I've ran into problems especially factory jobs where I'm pretty much completely deaf around machinery. Even at the Walmart deli I was surprised and bummed out that I couldn't hear the customers over the fryers behind me.

[jaredcharney]

I had sudden hearing loss in my right ear about 6 years ago and a little over 2 years got a cochlear implant and it def. gave me life back. I suffered not only from complete hearing loss but also from 24.7 365 tinnitus which I likened to an alien parasite living in my brain. As soon as I healed from surgery and the audiologist gave me the outer processor I was instantly relieved of the tinnitus and the road to hearing began. I've spoken in the last year to many people with SSD considering an implant and I stress the best part of it is not only can I hear significantly (though clearly not as well as I did before the hearing loss) better in noisy situations but it's being able to hear better in ALL situations and restoring sound localization.

[beaudeng]

That is very informative, Emma! Recently sudden one side hearing loss and going through the traumatic emotional roller coasters. This video makes me see a brighter future. Thanks!

[jjasw]

You said it. I was a good listener in class back then and I notice my grades and interest in class always depended on where I was seated. When I got to College, it was annoying to be seated on the worst angle possible with also the light shining on the blackboard on a Mathematics related subject. Although I do sometimes request the teacher to put me in a good seat, but sometimes they often are too wary if I am hearing properly or not, and it feels awkward. Hearing from you really made me reminisce how I struggled in the past and I appreciate how you pointed out how much of a pain the experience is. I always thought to myself what I could have achieved or pursued in life if I was confident enough to at least be able to have everything in my control without any handicaps. When I was around 10 years old, I was fishing in the river and was screaming to my friend about something, then I suddenly got an awful headache. It happened around 12 noon and I skipped lunched to sleep because of how severe the headache was, when I woke up, my left ear suddenly went deaf.

[RubenRamirezDaKingSon]

47 years deaf in left ear and never really saw a need for any hearing assistance till now. Looking at what can be has me anxious. Working on getting a CROS hearing aid

[essadis]

I'm usually very calm. That fact that you recognize that people with SSD can become frustrated even if just internally, made me tear up a little.

[glaidellawigfallaria]

I'm 21 years old and I cant hear in my right ear 😔😔

[ebonydaise]

I am very late to this channel . I recently just lost my hearing on my right side its mild and the audiologist only suggested treatment for the tinnitus but said it was nit enouh to need a hearing aide .I also am legally blind, don't see out of my right eye at all and minimal vision on my left . Just trying to figure out what to do .I mainly rely on hearing just for travel alone and conversations have been slightly difficult . I enjoy Ballet alot so listening to music is important and I attend an adult drop in class weekly .One thing this loss has taught me is definitely even way more compassion for those who are deaf ir hard of hearing besides that I had to help my grandfather who was also hard aof hearing and studied sign language a semester at comminuty college . Thank you for this video.

[mitotv]

I have partial deafness, , profound hearing loss on right ears.. so frustrating.. a lot embarrassing moment

[alexv]

Since birth, my right side ear has had 100% Atresia (totally blocked ear canal). My exterior side of the ear is about 15% deformed/bent. For the last 55 years, I've been hearing and doing things without feeling I'm losing my hearing. That's not the case anymore. Yesterday, I first visited the audiologist for a hearing test and then the ENT doctor. In audio testing was AMAZING! The device/speaker they attached to the back of my deaf ear, made me feel her lips were SHAKING!!! my entire deaf side!! I could hear her voice 500%-1000% stronger than my good ear!! I was hoping the ENT doctor could open my ear canal and let my natural ear does the hearing. He said there is a risk of the canal he makes for me, it may collapse on its own!! He said he needs to make me a new "ear drum"!! And that may not turn out to be good!? He also said I "still need to have some kind of hearing device" for the fixed ear. Then he pulled out a sample of the Osia 2 from his pocket that goes under my bad ear skin, with a 45-minute surgery. As an engineer myself, I was disappointed why the under the skin magnetic device could not be at least 40-50% smaller. I appreciate hearing from people who went through such a procedure and any advice they could give me. FYI, next week I'm scheduled for a 90-min consulting with the audiologist in form of letting me get a feeling about how such a device would feel and do after the surgery.

[candicefarrel]

I am deaf in my right ear since i been small dont no how it happened i am really worried about when i am old

[l.bcleaningservices]

Brilliant video of information, I've literally just been told Thursday I've got profound deafness in one ear, all I did was wake up one morning a month ago and this started, so I've been looking around for information, thank you

[andyf]

Thank you as always for your great videos. I suffered sudden sensorineural hearing loss in my left ear 10 years ago, when I was 40 . A hearing aid in my "severe hearing loss" ear will allow me to hear sounds; but the loss to nerves connecting to hearing brain means I cannot "understand" the sounds (i.e. just distorted sounds). Trialled various top-range CROS HAs, for months, a couple of times, over the past few years; however do not work in places with any background noise (In quiet office environment, my good right ear picks up fine anyhow, so can't notice the benefit of CROS much) As you mentioned, Cochlear Implants is now an option. However having been "deaf" in one ear for so long, one major concern is if my brain will quickly re-adapt to "understand" the electrical nerve impulses in a reasonable period of time (i.e. months, not years) given this is an invasive, destructive (i.e destroys nerves) and irreversible treatment. I am sure every case is different; however appreciate your insights based on any anecdotal patient cases & experiences to date; as well as suggestions for any other potential options? Thank you.

[Amanveer_kaur]

and we feel shy to share this information. for getting selected in good company it is really hard. I am doing security and feel so low when i have to say to repeat everything . sometimes i cry on my diaability

[louierichards]

This is really good info. I’ve been told by audiologist I need a one side hearing aid. Then went back 6 months later and nothing was said. He had mentioned having an MRI. He said I have positive pressure in the ears. Thought there was a possibility of tumor but at second visit never said anything.

[drpritee]

Thank you so much for this information. I was struggling to know these things. In video you have covered everything. My son is 18 year old with SSD on right ear. In future we are also planning to go for treatment.

[KL-wgxg]

I was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma few years ago. Doctors removed the tumor, but it was too risky to save the hearing. I now have permanent hearing loss in one ear. It can be very frustrating not being able to have full hearing capacity. After 10 hours of surgery and having my skull drilled and opened, I am petrified of having anything going near my skull again, so BAHA will probably not be a good option for me. I hope someday there’ll be better hearing aid that would be simple to use