What Causes One-Sided Hearing Loss?

What’s One-Sided Hearing Loss?

Also called unilateral hearing loss, single-sided hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD), this is a hearing loss that typically occurs in one ear only.

Oftentimes that means the other ear is healthy and can hear at normal hearing levels. Single-sided hearing can be severe, moderate or out-and-out loss depending on the cause and presentation.

What Causes One-Sided Hearing Loss?

SSD can be acquired (happens long after birth) or congenital, implying that it occurred from birth. Before you get the right hearing aids in South Africa for your condition, it is best to know the cause and type. There are basically two types: conductive or sensorineural.

Key causes of sensorineural SSD include:

• Meniere’s disease
• Viral infection
• Ototoxic drugs
• Injury to your ear or head
• A side effect of surgical removal of the brain tumor.

Key causes of conductive SSD include:

• Otosclerosis
• Ear or head injury
• Ossicular disconnection
• Bacterial or viral infection in the inner bones
• Tympanic membrane (eardrum)

How Can Single-Sided Hearing Loss Be Treated?

Of course, you can get hearing aids for sale when you suffer from SSD. However, the best course of action and treatment is often dependent on the underlying cause and type of the SSD. Usually, the conductive type of SSD can be treated through a medical procedure, especially a surgery. A sensorial single sided hearing can always be treated with the right kind of hearing aids in South Africa.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HEARING AIDS FOR SALE FOR YOUR SSD

Hearing Aids for Conductive SSD

From a technical point of view, conductive is the most common type of SSD that can be treated with traditional hearing aids from an excellent hearing aid company. If there’s discharge from the affected hear, try Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs). The good thing is that these can be easily installed and monitored in a reputable hearing aid repair shop.

Sensorineural One-Sided Hearing Loss

Treatment using hearing aids is often dependent on the extent of the hearing loss. Usually, any level of hearing loss up to moderate can be effectively treated with traditional hearing aid. If the extent of the hearing loss is too extreme, conventional hearing aids might not work well. If that’s the case, there’s a specialized type of hearing aid called Contra-Lateral Routing of Signal (CROS). Ideally, the CROS or BiCROS system transfers the sound from the worse side to the better side.

AUTHOR: Micky Sores

Hearing Aid Labs

You still have to figure out if the hearing aid company recommended

Hearing aids for sale have become quite the expense these days. If you are looking for hearing aids South Africa, chances are high that your audiologist might have recommended a hearing aid company or two.

Although a recommendation from your physicians is a great place to get started, you still have to figure out if the hearing aid company recommended is right for your needs and your budget, which can sometimes be overwhelming owing to the sheer number of options available. If you are currently struggling to find the right hearing aid, here are some tips that can help:

Pick a hearing aid company or manufacturer

First and foremost, you will have to find a hearing aid company that has the style and design of hearing aid that you are interested in getting. The hearing aid company that you pick should be well reviewed because you do not want to take your new gadget to a hearing aid repair shop after only a short period of using it.

Choose a style and design as you like hearing aids

There are a number of styles and designs of hearing aids South Africa that you can buy so your choice will be based solely on your preference and taste. There are 3 main common hearing aid styles that include:

• Behind the ear: This is by far the most popular hearing aid style today
• In the ear: This type of hearing aid is usually custom made for a custom fit as it has to sit in your ear.
• Completely-in-canal: This type is almost invisible as it has to be located inside the ear canal and it is most commonly used by individuals that have moderate hearing loss.

Figure out which features you want

Hearing aids, like most other gadgets, come with different features and specifications, which is often what differentiates one brand from another. Some common bells and whistles in today’s hearing aids include remote control capability, Bluetooth or wireless connectivity, and so on. Before you pick, make sure that you discuss the decision with your physician to ensure that you are picking a hearing aid that can help you. Additionally, you want to make sure that your hearing aid can be taken to a hearing aid repair shop should it need fixing or maintenance.

Hearing Aids and Lifestyle

To pick the right hearing aid, you should consider your lifestyle. If you are active, for instance, you might want a water-resistant hearing aid. Discuss your interests and hobbies with the hearing aid provider to pick one that best suits your lifestyle.

Hearing aids can be quite an expense and if you do not prepare adequately

If you have been through the process of looking for a hearing aid, you probably must have been dumbfounded by some of the hearing aid prices that you have encountered.

Hearing aids can be quite an expense and if you do not prepare adequately, the final bill can be overwhelming.

Hearing aid prices can go for anywhere between $1,500 and $3,500 for each unit. If you need one in each year, then you will have to double up the final price. Because hearing aid prices can be so costly and generally not covered by insurance, most people that need new ones or replacement hearing aids often put off the search.

Hearing aids are a critical and worthy investment because they are typically in use for all waking hours, seven days every week. While the hearing aid prices may sound exorbitant, it is expected that the prices are bound to increase in the future as technology continues to grow at an exceedingly fast pace.

Why are hearing aids so expensive?

The difference between affordable and high-end hearing aids has to do with the type and caliber of technology embedded in the aids. Hearing aids are designed to meet the needs of various individuals experiencing different levels of hearing loss whether mild, moderate or severe. As such, hearing aids often have different specifications and features. To get an accurate price, it is essential that you learn everything that there is about your level of hearing loss, as well as your personal needs.

Additionally, when you purchase a hearing aid, the final price given often included the all the value-added and professional services that come with the fitting. Keep in mind that your hearing ability may change along the way, which might require your aid to be adjusted. Furthermore, as you continue to utilize the hearing aid, you will need to maintain it to ensure that it is constantly in proper working order. This means replacing your hearing aid batteries when necessary and visiting the hearing aid repair shop when you sense that something is off.

Why you should invest in a high-quality hearing aid

When deciding whether or not to invest your money on hearing aids, you should also consider the impact of not investing in one. It is definitely impossible to put a price on missed conversations with your friends and loved ones, as well as on the sounds of nature and everything that goes on around you. If you are a professional or student, you may also be losing out due to your hearing loss. As the end of the day, hearing loss is a condition that can affect you and others around you and it should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.

One-Sided Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know and How to Get Help

One-Sided Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know and How to Get Help: One-Sided Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know and How to Get Help

Why are Hearing Aids so Expensive?

Why are Hearing Aids so Expensive?: Why are Hearing Aids so Expensive?

How to find the Right hearing Aids for you

How to find the Right hearing Aids for you: Hearing aids for sale have become quite the expense these days. If you are looking for hearing aids South Africa, chances are high that your audiologist might have recommended a hearing aid company or two.