Sometimes, you need a specific fix for your hearing loss. Every hearing loss patient is unique, and some have certain conditions like single-sided deafness or different formations of certain parts of the ear that often work best with a bone-anchored hearing device.
You don’t have to embark on this journey of determining what works best for you alone. At Doctors of Audiology, we’ll support you through the process of finding the ideal hearing loss treatment plan for your individual needs. There are a lot of sounds in the world, and we want you to be able to hear as many as you can.
What Is a Bone-Anchored Hearing Device?
A bone-anchored hearing device creates sound by using a titanium implant to connect vibrations to the inner ear. The implant is inserted during an outpatient surgical procedure, and an external abutment allows you to connect to a sound processor and microphone that rest outside of the ear.
The device sends sound vibrations through the external abutment to the titanium implant, eventually integrating with the skull bone.
How Does a Bone-Anchored Implant Differ From Other Options for Hearing Treatment?
Conventional hearing aids amplify sounds that enter the ear canal. But bone-anchored hearing devices, similar to cochlear and auditory brainstem implants, bypass the ear canal and middle ear to bring sounds directly to the inner ear.
Who Are Good Candidates for a Bone-Anchored Hearing Device?
Both adults and children can use bone-anchored implants. Typically, they work well for:
- People who have single-sided deafness.
- People who have malformations in the outer ear, middle ear or ear canal.
- People who are allergic to traditional hearing aids.
- People with Meniere’s disease.
- People who experience chronic middle ear infections.
- People with cholesteatoma or growth of skin behind your eardrum.
- People with an acoustic neuroma or a benign tumor that develops on your vestibular or auditory nerves.
What Is the Surgery to Receive a Bone-Anchored Implant Like?
Getting a bone-anchored hearing device is an outpatient surgical procedure. Our office will provide a referral to connect you with this service.
During surgery, the provider will insert a small titanium implant into the mastoid bone behind the ear. So you can attach the external microphone and sound processor, an abutment will stick out through the skin.
What Happens After the Surgery?
Before the implant’s external devices can be clipped on, your skull and skin need to heal from the surgery. This typically takes between three weeks and three months.
Once you’ve healed from the surgery, the sound processor and microphone can be programmed for your specific hearing needs. Every patient is unique, so we’ll customize the device, so it works best for you individually.
How Long Will My Bone-Anchored Implant Last?
The titanium implant is expected to last a lifetime. The external sound processor will likely last around five years.
We’re Here For You
Starting treatment for hearing loss might feel daunting. As questions arise for you, we’re here to answer them. We want you to be more connected to the sounds in your daily life, whether they’re laughter from friends, conversations with your children or chirping from birds as you take a walk outside.
Call Doctors of Audiology for more information or to schedule an appointment.