What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?

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What is Single Sided Deafness?

Sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, single sided deafness is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While most patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD affects approximately 60,000 people in the United States each year.

About one in every 1000 newborns are diagnosed with unilateral hearing loss. Single sided deafness can impact both a child’s speech recognition and language development as well as their ability to localize sounds.

What Causes Single Sided Deafness?

SSD can be caused by a variety of factors that include:

  • Acoustic neuromas
  • Trauma to the head
  • Genetic disorders
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Labyrinthitis
  • Microtia
  • Mastoiditis
  • Measles
  • Mumps

When Should I See a Doctor?

You should seek prompt medical attention if hearing loss in one ear happens suddenly. The quicker you act, the higher chance there is for a full recovery.

What Symptoms Do Those with SSD Experience?

Patients with SSD find understanding speech in the presence of background noise especially problematic and have great difficulty localizing sound (recognizing the location or origin of a sound source). Sound localization depends on subtle hearing cues from two ears; removing one from the equation confuses the brain.

Many people also report experiencing a sensation known as the “head shadow” effect. High frequency sound waves do not move around objects, so they never reach the good ear as the head gets in the way. This frequency loss prevents those with SSD from hearing s or t sounds.

Other symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Social isolation
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty paying attention
  • Trouble speaking loudly

How is SSD Diagnosed?

In order to diagnose your type of loss, your audiologist will review your symptoms and medical history before completing a physical exam. Your doctor will then complete a comprehensive hearing exam. These tests are used to determine your type and degree of hearing loss.

Treatments for SSD

While there is no cure for single sided deafness, options exist to help you cope with unilateral hearing. Traditional hearing aids don’t offer much help to those suffering from SSD, but contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aids can improve hearing and localization.

CROS Hearing Aids

CROS hearing aids utilize a microphone that is placed behind the impaired ear and an amplifier in the normal ear. The microphone picks up sounds and transmits them to your “good” ear.

A similar device known as BICROS is suitable for individuals with some degree of hearing loss in one ear and total deafness in the other.

Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Another option is a bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA), a surgically implanted device that uses direct bone conduction to transmit sounds from the affected ear to the normal one. Vibrations in the bones of the ear canal and middle ear stimulate the hair cells of the cochlea, boosting your ability to hear.

Call Longhorn Hearing, PLLC at (512) 398-4000 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Schedule Your Hearing Assessment

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

To schedule an appointment, refer a patient, or ask a question, call us at (512) 398-4000 or fill out the form below.

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Rose Mary Cruz
Rose Mary Cruz
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Very nice people , professional and very courteous.!!!
Sissy Taylor
Sissy Taylor
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Dr Sandy and her team are wonderful! Always smile and helpful. Great attitude and I am happy to be a patient!
wanda taylor
wanda taylor
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The staff were friendly and efficient. The audiologist, Sandy Schick was friendly, informative and took her time explaining what was going to happen and then the results. She explained the differences (pros and cons) in the options of hearing aids I had to select from without trying to "sell me" a particular one. I very much appreciated that. The cost was very reasonable.
Frank Wallace
Frank Wallace
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Great Dr. And Staff. Seen very close to appointment time. Less than 5-10 minute wait.
Travis McDonald
Travis McDonald
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Great staff. One of the best things I ever did was to select Longhorn Hearing for my hearing aids.
Jeff Skog
Jeff Skog
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Bimmer Audi
Bimmer Audi
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The staff is courteous and knowledgeable. The audiologist is top-notch. I would recommend this location to anyone.
Jeffrey Withers
Jeffrey Withers
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Very professional with Texas charm.
ED Greer
ED Greer
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DR Schick is an excellent audiologist and friendly. I will refer anyone to her who needs help with hearing. Her staff is the same way too.
Mike Vaughan
Mike Vaughan
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I always have a great experience at Longhorn Hearing. The staff is professional, caring and friendly. The service is outstanding. They have made my hearing aid journey simple, comfortable and complete. I highly recommend Longhorn Hearing.
Jan Holcomb
Jan Holcomb
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Absolutely AMAZING experience with Dr. Sandy and the entire staff. After suffering a TBI, I learned I would need hearing aids to assist me “thru life” going forward. Dr. Sandy listened to my concerns, and was able to make suggestions based on my needs. From the moment I stepped in the office to the moment I left my most recent appointment, I have nothing but incredible things to say. So very happy I chose Longhorn Hearing to help me with my hearing aid journey. Thanks so much, Dr. Sandy & team! Heidi B.
Scott Sherwood
Scott Sherwood
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Great to work with in helping me with my hearing issues.
Prude Llanos
Prude Llanos
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Dr.Sandy and her team are awesome. Very friendly,down to earth staff.Most professional audiologist I have ever met. Glad to have them in Lockhart.
Brian Baldwin
Brian Baldwin
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Robin Hart
Robin Hart
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Good atmosphere. Got help with the hearing aid that wasn’t working right.
Tom Woodruff
Tom Woodruff
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Friendly, qualified staff! Dr. Sandy heads up a very good team!
Robert Ogborn
Robert Ogborn
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Dr Schick and all the staff were very customer friendly and very knowledgeable about all my hearing needs and to the time to explain in detail. Which made it easier to take care of all my needs. Lockhart is lucky to have them in town. I would recommend them to family and friends.
Gary Dickenson
Gary Dickenson
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Very friendly and professional. Great experience
Carol Hanna
Carol Hanna
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Puppy ate end of hearing aid and sandy repaired while I cooled my heels. Wow.
Danny Eichholtz
Danny Eichholtz
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Outstanding care and service with a very friendly staff.
Elizabeth Raxter
Elizabeth Raxter
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Dr. Schick-Velasquez and her staff are always helpful and professional. I'm very glad we have them in town.
Google User
Google User
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Great care - won't go anywhere else for our hearing needs.
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