Aural Question

[Matheous-2]

Does anyone know whether someone who is totally deaf in one ear can detect the direction or source of a sound? eg. Stereo Sound?

[SlackAlice]

I am hard of hearing in one ear and profoundly deaf in the other (not totally), I can detect the direction and source of sounds. However I have trouble in listening to Stereo sound in music. I have a pair of headphones with separate controls for left and right ears for my TV and Music system if I need them.
If I'm out at a show, film etc I cope reasonably well.

[Sqad]

Depends.........basically I agree with Trimeresurus...BUT if SlackAlice has been deaf for a long period of time..e.g 10 years or more then she has learnt to identify (Adaptation) the direction of sound even with unilateral deafness.

[Matheous-2]

Thanks guys - Interesting answers....

[SlackAlice]

Been hard of hearing for about 45-50yrs, from late childhood.

[Sqad]

SlackAlice....that is why you cope well with auditory direction....you have adapted.

[SlackAlice]

Its called 'sink or swim' lol

[ladyalex]

Doesn't moving your head around help with the detection of direction ?

You get different sound signals at different times as you move your head, rather than different sound signals simultaneously from both ears.

Makes sense to me.....

[Sqad]

SA..LOL

[Eve]

I think you can adapt. My hearing is affected through menieres (although it fluctuates) and the last hearing test I had was borderline hearing assistance (so escaped for now).

I've adapted over the years and am not bad at telling where sound is coming from though Sqad is probably better placed to say whether my kind of hearing problems would be affected by this anyway.

There are always lots of sirens going on round where I am, especially on my main route in and out of town (main route in and our main hospital based on it) and although I sometimes have to concentrate to work out which way they are coming from, I'm usually right. I think I've maybe learn to be more alert and compensate as so much goes on around here, it's partly a safety thing.