Action point

Single-sided deafness (SSD), or being deaf in one ear, isn't exactly the poster-child for disabilities. Rather, it's an overlooked condition that is often misunderstood by the public.

For many SSD sufferers, it is very difficult to follow conversations, making social interaction exhausting and frustrating, increasing irritability, stress, anxiety, and headaches.

Without two working ears, the brain has difficulties distinguishing the origin of sounds, hampering a person's ability to determine the location and direction of traffic, for instance.

If you find yourself in this position, discuss solutions with your audiologist.

Questions about hearing? Ask our audiologist.