Anacusis: One or Both Ears Deafness

What does anacusis mean?

Anacusis, deafness or deafness is the name given when there is little or no hearing in one or both ears. The good news: especially with one-sided deafness, there are excellent opportunities to compensate for this hearing loss, for example with hearing aids that your Amplifon Audiologist/ Hearing care professional adapts to your individual needs.

As soon as hearing loss in one ear is detected, it is best to come in for an assessment. Don’t lose hope because if you suffer from single sided deafness or unilateral anacusis, all is not lost for there is hope for better hearing capabilities in the horizon for you. Amplifon provides patients with single sided deafness the opportunity to hear better and to live a more normal life with the comprehensive list of personalized hearing solutions they provide. 

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Causes of anacusis

What are the causes of deafness? Whether bilateral or unilateral hearing loss, the causes are manifold. On the one hand, deafness may be innate. Also, infections during pregnancy (eg rubella) or the use of certain medications or drugs (alcohol, nicotine, etc.) can affect the development of the child's hearing even before birth. But also in the course of life it can come to an anacusis, z. Due to diseases (eg meningitis), damage to the inner ear, the auditory nerves or the hearing center. Good to know: In some cases, such hearing impairments even occur only temporarily.

Maybe you have already noticed: Listen to z. Only in one ear, you can estimate the direction and distance of sound sources difficult - especially in traffic a major obstacle. Anakusis also makes itself unpleasantly noticeable at work or at school. For example, if you do not understand colleagues, teachers or classmates correctly. And what misunderstandings can lead to, you have probably already experienced. Our recommendation: Be active, make an appointment with your Amplifon Audiologist/ Hearing care professional. Because with the right measures you make your (daily) life much easier. 

Most common causes of anacusis:

  • Malformed ear canal
  • Complications during pregnancy
  • Ototoxicity 
  • Untreated chronic ear disorders and infections
  • Damage to the inner ear
  • Meningitis 
  • Measles
  • Trauma to the head
  • Constant and prolonged exposure to loud noises
  • Ear canal blockages (foreign bodies or earwax)

Single sided deafness (SSD)

Single sided deafness (SSD) is the loss of hearing in one side. It is a common problem that can be solved with specific products (CROS system).

At Amplifon we suggest that you request a hearing test to determine the level of loss in either side of your ears. Our expert Audiologists/ Hearing care professionals can then suggest a solution that would suit your specific needs. There are many products available for SSD which allow the customer to hear both sides again with clarity.

Take advantage of our 90-day money back guarantee to see if the hearing aid will solve your problems before you commit to purchase.

Hearing Solutions for Anacus or SSD

The sooner a hearing disorder is detected or treated, the more you can do. Sometimes it can even prevent deafness. For example, parents should have their hearing tested early if they suspect hearing impairment. Because hearing is impaired at a young age, this can disturb the development of language sensitive. An effect that can be stemmed by early diagnosis and timely training. But even as an adult, if you choose a hearing aid, a powerful, personalized solution is the ideal way to improve your quality of life and positively affect your hearing.

Another way to restore hearing in unilateral or bilateral deafness is surgery. As a rule, an inner ear prosthesis (the so-called cochlear implant) is inserted into the ear. Such an implant also improves spatial hearing and alleviates ear noises that can occur . As with general treatment, the sooner you get active, the better. In children, for example, it is advisable to use the implant in the time by training the language skills, d. H. between the second and the fourth year of life. Because with a good hearing ability, the child can orient himself very well to his "language role models" and develop his speech optimally.

What will happen if the operation is performed at a later stage in life? Even then inserting a cochlear implant in many cases is a worthy alternative. Under certain conditions, the implant can even be combined with a hearing aid for optimal results.

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