Single-sided deafness (SSD) means you have little or no hearing in one ear, while your other ear hears normally or has only mild hearing loss. There are hearing devices that could help, and communication tactics you can use. Causes of single-sided deafness Single-sided deafness can happen for many different reasons, including: sudden hearing loss in one ear conditions such as Ménière’s disease acoustic neuroma , a...
✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦
No actionable change — this is a general public-facing explainer on SSD; it introduces no new clinical evidence or guidance beyond established practice.
✦ Why It Matters ✦
Public education about SSD device options and communication strategies can help patients arrive at clinic better informed and more engaged in shared decision-making.
✦ Key Points ✦
- 01SSD is defined as severe-to-profound hearing loss in one ear with near-normal hearing in the other.
- 02Covered devices likely include CROS hearing aids, bone-anchored implants, and cochlear implants.
- 03Communication strategies (e.g., seating position, informing conversation partners) are highlighted.
- 04Content is aimed at the general public rather than clinicians.
- 05Published by RNID, a UK charity with no commercial device interest.