A CROS (contralateral routing of sound) system looks like a hearing aid but does not amplify sound for the affected ear. Rather, it uses a microphone to pick up sound presented to the poor ear and sends it over into a device worn on the good ear. Though this cannot help to restore sound localization, this allows improved awareness of sound on the affected side. Output sound from the signal processing system was calibrated to be presented at 70-dB SPL at the level of each ear, using a Sound-Pro sound level meter (model DL 1/3 Octave Datalogging RTA) and a 2-CC ear coupler for insert earphones calibration. Calibration measurements were done using a slow rate mode with an A-weighting frequency filter. Her deafness does not inhibit her ability to perform at an international level.
Binaural beats are a popular form of soundwave therapy that is believed to have various benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving focus, and enhancing relaxation. These beats work by playing two different frequencies in each ear, causing the brain to perceive a third tone that is the difference between the two frequencies. This process is thought to synchronize the brainwaves and induce a desired mental state.
Beyond that, there are a number of other studies that challenge the brainwave entrainment hypothesis [e.g., 25, 52–55]. The additional problem that in most studies on potential effects of binaural beat stimulation an entrainment was not independently empirically assured but merely assumed, has been pointed out before [40, 56]. With respect to the study outcomes, only six out of the 14 studies of the final sample reported results in line with the entrainment hypothesis. Enhancement of EEG power through binaural beat stimulation when compared to control conditions or baseline recordings was found for the theta [1, 43, 59], the alpha [63, 72] and the gamma bands [1, 73]. The required stimulation durations were either six or ten minutes for theta [43, 59], five minutes for alpha [72], and 15 minutes for gamma entrainment [73].
However, if you are deaf in one ear, you may be wondering whether you can still experience the effects of binaural beats. The answer to this question is not straightforward. While it is true that binaural beats rely on the brain’s ability to perceive and interpret different frequencies in each ear, some research suggests that individuals with unilateral hearing loss can still benefit from binaural beats.
Jabra Enhance’s hearing aids are custom-programmed based on your test results so that you’ll have personalized sound right out of the box. It’s important for patients to realize these devices re-route sound, but do not “restore” hearing to the deaf ear, according to Erika Woodson, MD, Medical Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Hearing Implant Program, in an online discussion with patients about the devices. “You will not hear in stereo. The benefits of these hearing strategies are to improve awareness of sound from 360 degrees, but you will not be able to localize sound.”
Before we move onto binaural beats, to understand how hearing loss affects a persons ability to respond to musical stimuli, we can look at examples of deaf musicians. (A) An illustration of the acoustic head-shadow and the principle of time-delay between the two ears, dependent on the sound source. (B) Right and left temporal signals arriving from a right-leading sound source location. The ILD and ITD are illustrated on the amplitude and temporal domains, respectively. (C) The frequency and azimuth dependencies of the head and pinnae filter are shown. As the sound source moves from the hearing side (positive azimuth angles) to the deaf side (negative azimuth angles), the acoustic barrier created by the head attenuates high frequency signals contralateral to the source.
Dynamic posturography systems are generally expensive and require special technical support and sophisticated analyses, which limits their widespread utility for clinical and research applications. As such, there are relatively few studies that have examined the effects of hearing on dynamic balance to date (Schwab et al. 2010; Greters et al. 2017; Kowalewski et al. 2018). Hard of hearing refers to people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. People who are hard of hearing usually communicate through spoken language and can benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices as well as captioning. Other causes of sudden unilateral hearing loss include a buildup of earwax, infection, or exposure to loud noise.
Individuals who are deaf in one ear may still be able to perceive binaural beats through bone conduction. Bone conduction occurs when sound waves travel through the bones in the skull directly to the inner ear, bypassing the damaged ear. This means that even if you are deaf in one ear, you may still be able to perceive the binaural beats through vibrations in the skull.
Additionally, some studies suggest that binaural beats can have an effect on the brain even if the individual cannot perceive the beats auditorily. This is because the brain is capable of picking up and responding to subtle changes in frequency, even if they are not consciously perceived. Therefore, even if you are deaf in one ear, your brain may still be able to entrain to the frequencies of the binaural beats.
In conclusion, being deaf in one ear may not necessarily prevent you from experiencing the effects of binaural beats. While more research is needed to fully understand how individuals with unilateral hearing loss respond to binaural beats, there is evidence to suggest that these individuals may still benefit from this form of soundwave therapy. If you are deaf in one ear and are interested in trying binaural beats, it may be worth experimenting with different frequencies and seeing how your body and mind respond.
