As somebody born deaf in my left ear, I’ve explored quite a lot of completely different listening to options. For the previous 4 years, I’ve used the Phonak CROS. I discover it to be the very best listening to assist for unilateral listening to loss and single-sided deafness.
Listed below are 5 issues I like about my Phonak CROS as a busy teenager navigating faculty, golf equipment, sports activities, and extra!
Comfy and Simple to Use
To put on the Phonak CROS, I merely pop the listening to aids round my ear and shut the battery cartridges. After just a few seconds I hear a beeping sound to point that they’re “on”. As a highschool scholar with early mornings, I discover that this has change into routine, similar to placing on my glasses or brushing my tooth.
In comparison with the opposite listening to units I’ve tried, the Phonak CROS is essentially the most comfy and manageable. The principle physique of the CROS system is kind of small and matches snugly behind my ear. I’ve the Phonak CROS H2O, which is water resistant. This characteristic is ideal for me since I put on the CROS throughout PE and different movement-intensive actions.
The earpiece of the CROS can both be a tip, dome, or mildew. The dome works for me and retains the listening to assist safe. As a dancer, that is particularly vital. I by no means have any hassle with the earpiece falling off or inflicting static noise. As for upkeep, I usually change the earpiece as soon as a month and the wire annually. Aside from that, my CROS listening to aids have by no means wanted repairs and they’re fairly sturdy by way of put on and tear.
Learn extra: Dwelling with single-sided listening to loss
Extra Conscious of My Environment and Atmosphere
Earlier than utilizing the Phonak CROS, I spoke very loudly in conversations as a result of I couldn’t hear others’ responses or my very own voice clearly. After utilizing CROS, I observed the distinction in loudness, which helps me management my quantity. This turns out to be useful when lecturers ask us to make use of indoor voices or if I’m in a quiet location, such because the library.
I additionally had issue realizing when somebody was attempting to method me. Whether or not this was throughout class or in social conditions, it was awkward once I lastly observed the particular person however couldn’t reply to their inquiry. I used to be typically disoriented and alarmed when a instructor or classmate tried to speak to me from my dangerous facet. The CROS permits me to obtain sound from my dangerous ear. This helps with holding impromptu conversations with out consistently repositioning myself. It makes socializing much less irritating and I’ve been in a position to kind connections with new mates loads simpler and faster.
Learn extra: 4 Ideas for Lecturers on Serving to Deaf College students Succeed
Avoiding Harm
I’m a longtime dancer. Throughout group dances and practices, I typically ran into others as a result of I didn’t discover them arising behind me. It was irritating to bounce whereas avoiding a stray foot or arm. This drawback occurred as effectively in PE courses after we performed staff sports activities or ball video games. I bought damage as a result of I didn’t hear somebody calling “heads up.” It made actions that have been imagined to be enjoyable full of hysteria.
Since carrying the Phonak CROS, it has been simpler to find objects and folks. I discover myself much less drained after observe periods as a result of I do not need to assume a lot about navigation or being clumsy. I get damage much less as effectively. Realizing when an individual or ball is coming towards me makes PE a a lot better expertise and I can have interaction extra throughout Seize the Flag, rugby, and different staff sports activities.
“Since carrying the Phonak CROS, it has been simpler to find objects and folks.”
Singing and Listening to Music
I used to be additionally in choir for just a few years and struggled with my pitch and intonation. It was troublesome since I might not likely hear myself or others. I nonetheless bear in mind my choir instructor noting that I used to be consistently off pitch. After getting the Phonak CROS, I observed a right away change in sound. It’s laborious to explain to those that have by no means skilled it, however sound turns into fuller.
My singing improved after carrying the CROS system and listening to music grew to become an exquisite expertise. I by no means knew there was that a lot sound! Typically I simply put on my CROS listening to aids so I can take heed to the setting round me or my favourite track.
Learn extra: Excellent news in regards to the Phonak Audéo V for this Singer
Streaming Video and Connecting to Different Units
In class, I typically must put on earbuds for video lectures or music. Earlier than getting the ComPilot II with my CROS, I needed to take out my listening to aids and put in earbuds to stream media. Now all my units join mechanically to the ComPilot. With one easy click on, I can take heed to music or play movies with out the trouble.
One other system I like utilizing is the Phonak Roger On. In highschool, I’ve quite a lot of discussions and group work. The 2 hardest courses for me are French and literature, the place listening to others is an important a part of class. The Roger On acts as an amplification system that works effectively for group settings. I join the system to my Phonak CROS by way of the ComPilot. It focuses on the close by sounds and helps in these social conditions.
Total, I’ve been utilizing the Phonak CROS for 4 years and love the completely different options. I bear in mind the primary time I placed on the Phonak CROS and was launched to an entire new world of sound. It does take some getting used to. But it surely makes my life simpler and my experiences fuller, particularly as a scholar juggling a loopy schedule.
Learn extra: Listening to Loss within the Classroom: Your rights as a scholar
Rachael is a highschool scholar with single-sided deafness from California, United States. She was born along with her listening to loss and presently wears the Phonak Cros B and makes use of the Phonak Roger On and Compilot II. Rachael works as a Model Ambassador and Content material Creator for Listening to Like Me. She passionately advocates to create a extra accessible world for disabled youth by way of artwork and writing.
