hearing loss · 6 min read
Single-Sided Deafness & CROS Hearing Aids Explained
Why one good ear is not enough
Two ears give the brain timing and loudness differences that localise sound and separate speech from noise. With single-sided deafness (SSD), people constantly reposition themselves in conversations, miss speech on the dead side, and struggle badly in noise. Causes include sudden sensorineural loss, acoustic neuroma surgery, Ménière's disease and congenital SSD.
How CROS works
A CROS transmitter worn on the non-hearing ear picks up sound from that side and streams it wirelessly to a receiver device on the better ear. If the better ear also has loss, the system is called BiCROS — the receiver both amplifies and relays. Wearers describe the change simply: the dead side 'comes back'. Signia offers CROS versions of the Styletto line — the transmitter matches the slim styling of the aid.
CROS in India: fitting and cost
Signia Styletto CROS systems in India range from around ₹1,19,990 to ₹3,00,000 depending on the technology tier of the receiving aid. Fitting requires audiograms of both ears and realistic counselling about what CROS does (restores awareness) and doesn't (restore true stereo hearing). We fit CROS systems with the same free-trial model as standard devices.
Not sure where to start? Book a free hearing test — home visits available across India — or browse the full Signia range.
This article is educational and reviewed against published audiology guidance. It is not a medical diagnosis. Online screening indicates risk only — a clinical audiogram by a qualified audiologist is the diagnostic standard.