Implantable & Advanced Hearing Devices

New advances have expanded options for those not benefiting from traditional hearing aids.

Auditory Osseointegrated Device (BAHA)

Auditory Osseointegrated Devices can be helpful to those with deafness in one ear and normal hearing in their opposite ear, individuals unable to wear traditional hearing aids due to outer or middle ear malformations, or those who have problems with recurrent ear drainage or significant irritation in the outer ear that renders them unable to wear traditional hearing aids.

Traditional hearing aids transmit sound from the outer portion of the ear through the middle ear and finally to the inner ear. Auditory Osseointegrated Devices bypass the outer and middle ear, sending sound directly to the inner ear. Depending on the age of the patient, this may involve a surgically placed bone conduction implant/abutment, which helps to transmit the vibratory sound energy to the inner ear.

Cochlear Implant

Cochlear implants are electronic devices designed to improve speech understanding and awareness of environmental sounds for individuals who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids. The device is surgically placed under the skin behind the ear and inserted into the cochlea to directly stimulate the hearing nerve. Candidates for cochlear implantation undergo a comprehensive evaluation, including hearing and vestibular testing, medical history review, physical examination, and imaging such as a CT scan or MRI. Factors such as overall physical and emotional health, duration of hearing loss, consistent hearing aid use, motivation, realistic expectations, and family support are all considered in determining candidacy. Following surgery, recipients attend a series of follow-up visits with their physician, audiologist, and speech-language pathologist, and continue regular care with their audiologist to ensure successful adjustment to the implant.