Implanted
Hearing Devices
Surgically implanted hearing instruments
may be the preferred choice for some and the only option
for many hearing impaired when conventional hearing aids
are not useful.
Healthy Hearing & Balance Care
currently has 5 different types of implanted hearing devices
available to suit individual needs.
Implanted hearing devices are not completely internal.
They all have a battery operated component worn outside,
hidden behind the ear or under the hair.
The internal components of these
devices need to be surgically implanted by a highly experienced
ear surgeon. The external components are computer programmed
and fitted 4 to 8 weeks after surgery by a qualified audiologist.
1.Brainstem Implant, ABI
or PABI:
Specially designed for patients
with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) who develop bilateral
acoustic neuromas (tumours growing on
the hearing nerve). The tumours need to be surgically removed
to preserve vital functions and may lead to total deafness
in both ears.
An electrode array is surgically
implanted on the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem (lower
part of the brain), bypassing the cochlear and the auditory
nerve. A speech processor is programmed and externally fitted
behind the ear. This device provides artificial hearing
allowing awareness of environmental sounds. Specialised
training allows some recipients to hear and understand speech.
2.Cochlear Implant or Bionic
Ear:
An Australian invention for those
with severe to profound hearing loss due to inner ear damage.
Indicated when the best “behind-the-ear” hearing
aids are not sufficient to provide the ability to carry
on a normal conversation in a one-to-one situation.
An electrode array is surgically
inserted in the cochlea stimulating the auditory nerve fibres,
bypassing the external ear, the middle ear and the cochlea.
A speech processor is programmed and externally fitted on
the top of the ear making contact with the electrode array
through a coil on the mastoid bone. After intensive auditory
training with a specialised audiologist it is possible to
achieve the ability to carry on normal conversation in a
noisy environment and even to speak on the telephone.
3. Middle Ear Implant or Vibrant Soundbridge:
Suitable for moderate to severe
hearing losses caused by inner ear damage with intact middle
ear anatomy. It may be the choice for those who would not
accept a conventional hearing aid if they are not able to
wear a plastic mould in the ear canal because of external
ear infection, allergic reaction to the plastic material,
malformation of the external ear canal or purely due to
cosmetic reasons.
A transducer is surgically implanted
to the incus in the middle ear to mimic the function of
the ossicular chain (tiny bones in the middle ear) bypassing
the external and middle ear, stimulating the cochlea directly.
An external sound processor is fitted to an implanted magnet
under the skin on the bone behind the ear. The processor
is programmed to amplify the sounds according to each individual
hearing loss like a conventional hearing aid.
4. Bone Anchored Implant
or BAHA:
Suitable for individuals with a
mild to moderately severe hearing loss caused by middle
ear disease and who cannot wear a conventional hearing aid
due to chronic ear discharge, allergic reactions or congenital
malformation of the external and/or
middle ear.
A titanium screw is surgically implanted
on the mastoid bone. A small hearing aid is clipped onto
the screw vibrating the skull and transmitting the sound
directly to the best functioning cochlear, bypassing the
external and middle ears. It provides excellent bone conducted
hearing.
Single sided deafness (SSD) also
benefits from a BAHA. It provides
all-round hearing to those with a total hearing loss in
one ear (caused by viral infection, head trauma or after
acoustic neuroma surgery), with normal or near normal hearing
in the opposite ear. It replaces a CROS hearing aid providing
the ability to perceive sounds coming from the deaf side.
5. External Ear Implant or RetroX:
For those with a mild to moderate
high frequency hearing loss with normal hearing in the lower
frequencies and who do not want to be seen wearing a hearing
aid due to social stigmatisation.
A titanium tube is surgically implanted
in the cartilage behind the ear entering into the ear canal.
A very small hearing aid is attached to the tube and programmed
to fit the individuals hearing loss. It helps to reduce
the hearing problems in background noise and group situations
that are typical of high frequency hearing losses.
Bilateral Implants and Bimodal
Fittings:
We ultimately hear with our brains.
Sounds are collected by the ears from both sides of the
head and delivered to the brain to be analysed and interpreted.
Only hearing from both ears (binaural hearing) can provide
the ability to distinguish speech from background noise,
to follow a group conversation and to localise sounds in
space. Research confirms that the best possible hearing
outcome is only obtained by receiving sounds from the two
sides of the head.
Binaural hearing can be achieved
by bilateral implantation (an implant in each ear) or via
a bimodal fitting combining an implanted device in one ear
and a conventional hearing aid in the opposite ear.
At Healthy Hearing & Balance Care we provide a thorough
hearing assessment and help you to choose the best option
for your hearing needs. We also provide programming, fitting
and after care of all implanted hearing devices.
Useful Links
Cochlear and BAHA
www.cochlear.com.au
Vibrant Soundbridge
www.vibrant-medel.com
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©2011, Celene McNeill
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