Bone Conduction Hearing Aid
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has certified bone conduction hearing aids and systems, sometimes referred to as osseointegrated or bone-anchored devices, as an innovative technique to treat certain types of hearing loss. For bone conduction hearing systems, both surgical and non-surgical alternatives are available. These devices can be worn in one or both ears, and if needed, they can be worn in addition to a conventional hearing aid in the other ear.
About Bone Conduction Hearing Aids
Bone conduction hearing aids are specialised devices designed for individuals experiencing conductive hearing loss, one-sided profound sensorineural hearing loss, or mixed hearing loss (a combination of conductive and sensorineural). These aids work by transmitting sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through the bones of the skull, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Patients have the option to use a bone-conduction hearing aid that can be worn on a headband or one that is directly attached to the skin using adhesive.
A bone-conduction hearing device typically consists of two main components: an external processor and a surgically implanted fixture. There are two types of bone conduction implants: one with a fixture that protrudes through the skin for processor attachment and another that is fully implanted beneath the skin, utilising magnets within the processor for connection.
The procedure of Bone Conduction Hearing Aids
The procedure for using bone-conduction hearing aids varies depending on whether the device is nonsurgical or surgical.
For nonsurgical methods, devices can be affixed directly to the skin using adhesive or worn on a headband. This option is ideal for individuals with mild hearing loss, those who cannot undergo surgery, or children who are not old enough for the surgical procedure.
In surgical methods, the internal component is implanted into the bone behind the ear, beneath the skin. There are two main approaches:
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Percutaneous Approach: In this method, the external processor attaches to a titanium post that protrudes through the skin.
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Transcutaneous Approach: This alternative uses magnets that connect the internal component to the external processor while remaining completely beneath the skin.
There is no upper age limit for receiving bone-conduction hearing aids; however, children must be at least five years old (or 12 years old for certain device types) to qualify for the surgical procedure. This flexibility allows a wide range of patients to benefit from bone-conduction hearing technology, improving their hearing experience and overall quality of life.