Dang it, I'm Deaf....


The worse thing that can happen to an audiophile, I'm totally deaf (technically profoundly deaf) in one ear. It all happened in about one year's time. My retirement plans for getting a huge statement system are gone with my hearing. So, I went ahead and got a cochlear implant but it is not the same as a hearing aid, it's a last resort for those that have no hearing. I can't use it when listening to music. Fortunately, my other ear is pretty good. So I experimented with my system today. I ended up with both loudspeakers about 3 feet apart and sort of favoring my bad side. It's working out pretty good. I get some hints of depth but of course no wide soundstage. I'm also experimenting with mono vs stereo. I've had the music on for most of the day.I think I'll still be able to enjoy my music but in a slightly different presentation. 

Anyway, I was wondering if anybody else with single sided hearing loss has any tips? 

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Showing 1 response by rbanathy

I have the same problem, being completely deaf in one ear, accompanied by tinnitus.in that ear. Like you, enjoying my system was a big part of my retirement plan. It took quite a while to make peace with the hearing loss, but finally decided that there was limited time left to enjoy the music. I have a simpler 2 channel system consisting of Magnepan LRS, VTL 225 monoblocks, Rogue 99 Magnum preamp, Sota Sapphire TT, Rotel RCD 1572 CD player.. I also experimented with room placement and found that leaving the system configured for stereo but playing the system in mono was the bet compromise. Obviously you have a more complex system,. but just wanted to acknowledge that there are fellow sufferers..