How Does CROS Paradise Technology Benefit Single-Sided Hearing Patients?

Question

Answer

Individuals who exhibit unilateral hearing loss (UHL) and the hearing care professionals (HCPs) who care for them understand that UHL is not half of the problem of a bilateral loss, but comes with its own set of challenges including reduced localization, reduced awareness, and difficulties hearing in noise.^1-3 Beyond the audiological challenges of UHL are psychosocial impacts, such as reduced psychological and social well-being, reduced quality of life, and increased loneliness.^4-7 Patients who have unaidable UHL, a unilateral hearing loss that because of a profound degree, very poor speech recognition, or intolerance for amplified sounds and cannot be fitted with conventional hearing aids⁸ can be fit with technologies such as CROS/BiCROS.

Benefits of CROS/BiCROS systems for your patients

In August 2021, Phonak introduced CROS to the Paradise platform, offering the benefits of Paradise to those with unaidable UHL and the HCPs who care for them. The Phonak CROS P device (transmitter) is placed on the impaired ear and wirelessly transmits sound to the Phonak Audéo P hearing aid (receiver) worn on the better-hearing ear via Binaural VoiceStream Technology (BVST). As the transmitter and receiver work as a unit, they can steer microphone directionality when in diffuse noise by employing StereoZoom. While using StereoZoom, reduced listening effort⁹ and an increase in the amount of social interaction¹⁰ have been measured. 

The benefits to your patients are many. A review of the literature evidenced improved speech intelligibility in noise, in diffuse noise, and in quiet with CROS/BiCROS systems.¹¹ Additionally, Stewart and Woodward found improved subjective quality of hearing such as ease of communication and sound quality. Being connected to others through access to audibility while in different real-world settings allows individuals with UHL to thrive social-emotionally, cognitively, and physically.

Adding Phonak CROS P to your portfolio

When adding Phonak CROS P to their portfolio of solutions, the HCP will also realize the benefits of providing a unique solution to patients with UHL, featuring proven Paradise performance in universal connectivity, RogerDirect, and truly hands-free calling. Working with patients of UHL helps to elevate your practice and keeps you up-to-date with current solutions, and CROS P is easy to demonstrate (even while connected to the software) for instantaneous patient experience and feedback.

For your patients with UHL, there are two CROS system options to choose from: A CROS P-13 or a lithium-ion rechargeable CROS P-R, compatible with Audéo P-13 or Audéo-P-R/P-R-T, respectively. CROS P can be fit with any level of technology Audéo P device, offering an option to all individuals who live with UHL. HCPs can feel confident recommending CROS P to their patients with single-sided hearing. They will experience the audiological benefits of a CROS system, with the added benefits of BVST and RogerDirect; the ease-of-use benefits of universal connectivity to millions of Bluetooth® devices and hands-free calling, and the well-being benefits that come with well-hearing. 

For more information on Phonak CROS P, click here.

References:

1. Snapp H. A., Hoffer M. E., Liu X., Rajguru S. M. (2017a). Effectiveness in Rehabilitation of Current Wireless CROS Technology in Experienced Bone‐Anchored Implant Users. Otol Neurotol. 38 (10): 1397‐1404.
2. Lieu J.E., Karzon R.K., Ead B., Tye-Murray N. (2013.) Do audiologic characteristics predict outcomes in children with unilateral hearing loss? Otol Neurotol 34:1703–1710.
3. McKay, S. (2010). Audiological Management of children with single-sided deafness. Seminars in Hearing Vol. 31 (4).
4. Lucas, L., Roulla, K. & Kitterick, P.D. (2017). The psychological and social consequences of single-sided deafness in adulthood. International Journal of Audiology. 1-9.
5. Leterme G., Bernardeschi D., Bensemman A., Coudert C., Portal J.J., Ferrary E., Sterkers O., Vicaut E., Frachet B., Bozorg Grayeli A. (2015). Contralateral routing of signal hearing aid versus transcutaneous bone conduction in single-sided deafness. Audiology and Neurotology. 20 (4):251-60.
6. Wie O.B., Pripp A.H., Tvete O. (2010). Unilateral deafness in adults: effects on communication and social interaction. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 119: 772–781.
7. Pierzycki, R., Edmondson-Jones, M., Dawes, P., Munro, K. J., Moore, D. R., & Kitterick, P. T. (2020) Associations Between Hearing Health and Well-Being in Unilateral Hearing Impairment. Ear and Hearing.
8. Golub, J., Lin, F., Lustig, L., & Lalwani, A. (2018). Prevalence of adult unilateral hearing loss and hearing aid use in the United States. The Laryngoscope. 128 (7), 1681-1686.
9. Winneke, A., et al. (2018). Less listening- and memory effort in noisy situations with StereoZoom. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from https://www.phonakpro.com/com/en/resources/information-forms/evidence.html, accessed on 6^th September 2021.