When hearing aids aren’t suitable, a bone conduction implant may help. Hearing Implants Australia provides bone conduction implant assessment, surgery and ongoing care for adults across Sydney and regional NSW.
Bone Conduction Implants
What is a Bone Conduction Implant?
A bone conduction implant is an electronic medical device. It helps people hear and understand speech when conventional hearing aids aren’t suitable.
Most people who use one have a conductive hearing loss. This means the outer or middle ear is damaged, so sound doesn’t travel effectively to the cochlea. This may be due to chronic ear infections, previous ear surgery or the shape of the ear.
Some people with single-sided deafness (SSD) also use a bone conduction implant to improve awareness of sounds on their deaf side.
In Australia, there are three manufacturers of bone conduction implant systems that are registered for use with the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods:
How does a Bone Conduction Implant work?
A bone conduction implant uses your body’s natural ability to carry sound through bone. The sound processor picks up sound and turns it into vibrations. These travel through the bone behind your ear directly to the inner ear.
A hearing aid makes sound louder to push it through the damaged outer or middle ear. A bone conduction implant bypasses these parts altogether.
A Bone Conduction Implant is divided into two parts – an external sound processor and an internal implant:
The external sound processor
The external sound processor detects sounds in the environment via microphones. These sounds are then analysed by a tiny computer and then amplified or transformed into digital signals. These signals are then transmitted to the internal implant.
The internal implant
The internal implant is surgically placed into the skull by a specialised Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon. There are several different implant types for bone condition devices. These include:
- a small titanium screw with an abutment that sits through the skin,
- a small titanium screw with a magnet, or
- an implant that has a receiver stimulator package that converts the digital signal from the external sound processor into vibrations which are then hear via bone conduction.
How the Cochlear™ Osia® System Works
How the Cochlear™ Baha® Connect System Works
How the BONEBRIDGE works with SAMBA Audio Processor
How do I know if I am a candidate?
Generally speaking, you should consider a Bone Conduction Implant if;
- You have a conductive hearing loss in either ear;
- You can’t wear traditional hearing aids, or find them difficult to wear (e.g. recurrent ear infections, atresia/microtia, significant irritation);
- You have good speech understanding when sounds are comfortably loud;
- Your hearing loss significantly impacts daily interactions either socially or professionally.
The best first step is to discuss this option with your current hearing professional, or get in touch with us to facilitate a referral to a specialised provider experienced in hearing implants.
How do I get a Bone Conduction Implant
To find out if you’re a candidate, you’ll need an assessment with an audiologist experienced in bone conduction implants. You’ll also see an ENT surgeon who performs the surgery. There are several types of implant, and our team will help you find the option that suits your hearing and lifestyle.
A big advantage is that you can trial a bone conduction device without surgery first. This helps you decide whether it’s right for you before going ahead.
The Bone Conduction Implant Journey
While not everybody’s bone conduction implant journey is the same, there is a typical pathway that an adult follows to getting a bone conduction implantable device.
01
Candidacy Assessment
The first step is referral for a candidacy assessment. Often your usual audiologist will refer you for an assessment or they may have training in BCID’s. A candidacy assessment typically includes;
- Comprehensive case history and diagnostic testing
- Functional and Quality of Life assessment
- Ensuring optimisation of hearing aids
- Assessment of aided speech perception
- Counselling regarding outcomes and expectations
- Discussion of funding pathways
- Trial of BCID device
- Referral to ENT specialist for one or both ears
If you are determined to be a candidate you will then be referred for a medical review with a specialist ENT.
02
Pre-Op Medical assessment
The second step is a specialist evaluation with an ENT specialist that performs bone conduction device implantation. This typically includes;
- Medical and hearing case history
- Physical ENT examination
- Radiological investigations (e.g. MRI & CT scans)
- Counselling about expectations and outcomes
- Counselling about BCID surgery and related costs
03
Surgery
If you are an audiological and medical candidate then the next step is surgery. Typically during surgery;
- The implant is inserted into the skull
- The implant is tested to ensure functionality
- Post operative recovery
04
Post-Op Appointments
Following successful surgery;
- Post op review with ENT Specialist
- sound processor fitting and counselling with audiologist approximately 4 weeks after surgery
- Ongoing device management and appointments
- Annual follow-up appointments, with regular wound care
05
Ongoing management and Care
Holistic patient care will be ongoing;
- New technology and review of external speech processors including non-implanted ear
- Replacement of batteries
- Additional listening devices and equipment
- Quality of Life and functional outcome reviews
- Holistic patient review with primary communication partners
Is a Bone Conduction Implant Right For Me?
Ongoing Care & Maintenance
Bone conduction implant sound processors will require ongoing maintenance and repairs. External speech processors are generally covered by a standard manufacturer warranty, however it is recommended that the sound processor is insured against loss through your home and contents insurance.
As technology improves and new innovations become available the external sound processor will be able to be upgraded without any additional surgery.
There are a number of potential funding pathways for this which may include;
- Private health insurance
- DVA
- Self funding
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- N.B. The NDIS does not cover the costs of a bone conduction implant system or surgery. However, funding may be allocated for ongoing auditory rehabilitation, assistive listening devices or for upgrades of speech processors. For more specific advice please talk to your hearing health provider.
Get in touch
Whether you’re a patient, GP or health professional, our team is here to help. Contact us to make a referral, ask about hearing implants, or learn more about our services.
Referring a patient? Send referrals by email to [email protected]. Please include recent audiology results where available.
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