BiCROS Hearing Aids in Charlotte, NC
Hear more of what’s happening around you.
If one ear has significantly poorer hearing than the other, traditional hearing aids may not always provide the clarity you need. BiCROS hearing aids are designed for people who have hearing loss in both ears, with one ear that hears substantially worse than the other.
At Audibel Hearing Center in Charlotte, Daniel and Makenzie Pearce can evaluate your hearing and help determine whether BiCROS technology may be appropriate for your hearing needs. Audibel Hearing Center serves Charlotte, South Charlotte, Matthews, Pineville, Ballantyne, Mint Hill, Indian Trail, and surrounding communities.
WHAT ARE BiCROS HEARING AIDS?
BiCROS stands for Bilateral Contralateral Routing of Signal.
A BiCROS system uses two devices. A transmitter is worn on the ear with little or no usable hearing. It picks up sounds coming from that side and sends them wirelessly to a hearing aid worn on the better-hearing ear.
The hearing aid on the better ear does two things at once:
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Receives sound from the poorer-hearing side
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Amplifies sound based on the hearing loss in the better ear
In simple terms, the system helps you hear sounds coming from your poorer side without requiring that ear to process the sound itself.
Who Can Benefit From BiCROS Hearing Aids?
BiCROS hearing aids are designed for people with a specific type of asymmetrical hearing loss.
They may be appropriate when:
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One ear has severe or profound hearing loss with little usable hearing
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Traditional amplification provides little benefit in the poorer ear
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The better-hearing ear also has hearing loss
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You frequently miss speech coming from one side
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You position people toward your better ear
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Group conversations are difficult to follow
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Restaurants and social gatherings are especially challenging
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You want greater awareness of sounds around you
A comprehensive hearing evaluation can determine whether a BiCROS system, CROS system or another hearing solution is the best fit for your hearing.
CROS vs. BiCROS Hearing Aids
CROS is generally used when one ear has little or no usable hearing while the other ear has normal or near-normal hearing. The device on the poorer-hearing side sends sound to the better-hearing ear.
BiCROS is generally used when one ear has little or no usable hearing and the better-hearing ear also has hearing loss. The system transfers sound from the poorer side while also amplifying sound for the hearing loss in the better ear.
The main difference is that BiCROS provides amplification for the better-hearing ear in addition to transferring sound from the poorer-hearing side.
How Do BiCROS Hearing Aids Help?
One of the biggest challenges of significant hearing loss in one ear is the head shadow effect.
Your head naturally blocks some sounds as they travel from one side to the other. If one ear has very little usable hearing, someone speaking from that side may sound much softer or may be difficult to understand.
A BiCROS system helps overcome this problem by placing a microphone on the poorer-hearing side.
Instead of relying on sound to travel around your head, the system captures it and sends it directly to the hearing aid on your better-hearing ear.
That can make everyday conversations easier and reduce the need to constantly turn your head or reposition yourself.
Benefits of BiCROS Hearing Aids
Hear More From Your Poorer-Hearing Side
Conversations coming from your poorer side can be transmitted to your better-hearing ear.
Greater Awareness of Your Surroundings
Sounds that were once easy to miss may become more noticeable.
Easier Group Conversations
BiCROS technology can help when people are speaking from different directions.
Less Need to Position Your “Good Ear”
You may not need to constantly turn your head or ask people to switch sides.
Amplification for Your Better Ear
The hearing aid can be programmed specifically for the hearing loss in your better ear.
Modern Hearing Technology
Depending on the system selected, features may include:
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Rechargeable batteries
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Background noise management
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Directional microphones
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Bluetooth connectivity
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Smartphone apps
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Audio streaming
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Remote microphone accessories
Where Can BiCROS Hearing Aids Make a Difference?
Restaurants
Hear more of the conversation when someone is seated on your poorer-hearing side.
Family Gatherings
Stay more connected when people are speaking from different directions.
Meetings
Reduce the need to continually turn toward each person speaking.
Riding in the Car
Conversations can be difficult when the other person is sitting on your poorer-hearing side.
Walking With Someone
You may no longer need to ask another person to walk on a particular side.
Social Events
Greater access to sounds from around you can help you stay more engaged.
Do BiCROS Hearing Aids Restore Hearing in the Poorer Ear?
A BiCROS system does not restore hearing in an ear with little or no usable hearing.
Instead, the device worn on the poorer-hearing side captures sound and sends it to the better-hearing ear.
The goal is to give you greater access to sounds you might otherwise miss.
BiCROS technology also does not recreate completely normal hearing in two ears. Your audiologist can explain what you can realistically expect based on your individual hearing loss.
Are BiCROS Hearing Aids Right for You?
The best way to find out is through a comprehensive hearing evaluation. At Audibel Hearing Center, we look at more than whether you can hear a tone.
Your evaluation may help determine:
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How much hearing is present in each ear
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How clearly you understand speech
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Whether the poorer ear receives useful benefit from amplification
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How much hearing loss is present in the better ear
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Where you experience the greatest difficulty hearing
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Your everyday listening needs
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Your communication goals
If a conventional hearing aid is not appropriate for one ear, we can discuss whether CROS, BiCROS or another hearing solution may be a better option.
Professionally Fit BiCROS Hearing Aids
BiCROS hearing aids need to do more than simply send sound from one ear to the other.
The hearing aid worn on your better-hearing ear also needs to be programmed appropriately for your individual hearing loss. A professional fitting helps balance sound from the BiCROS transmitter with the sound being amplified on the better-hearing side.
Follow-up adjustments may also be important as you begin using the system in different listening environments.
At Audibel Hearing Center, the goal is to make sure your hearing technology works where you actually need it — during conversations with family, in restaurants, at meetings, while traveling, at social events, and throughout everyday life.
Why Choose Audibel Hearing Center in Charlotte?
Audibel Hearing Center has provided personalized hearing care in Charlotte since 2011. Owners Daniel and Makenzie Pearce provide hearing evaluations, hearing aid consultations, fittings, repairs, adjustments, and ongoing care at their Charlotte office.
Your visit may include:
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Comprehensive hearing evaluation
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Video otoscopic ear canal examination
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Speech understanding testing
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Review of hearing in each ear
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Discussion of CROS and BiCROS hearing aid options
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Hearing aid consultation
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Personalized hearing aid programming
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Follow-up adjustments and support
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Insurance benefit review, when applicable
There is no single hearing solution that is right for everyone. Our goal is to help you understand your hearing, compare your options, and make an informed decision about the solution that best fits your needs.
BiCROS Hearing Aids in Charlotte, NC
Audibel Hearing Centers is located at 7422 Carmel Executive Park Drive, Suite 108, Charlotte, NC 28226 and serves patients throughout Charlotte, South Charlotte, Matthews, Pineville, Ballantyne, Mint Hill, Indian Trail, and surrounding communities.
If you have a significant difference in hearing between your ears, schedule an evaluation to learn whether BiCROS technology may be appropriate for you.
Schedule a hearing evaluation with Audibel Hearing Centers to learn whether BiCROS hearing aids may be right for you.