Implantable Devices

When hearing aids are not enough to provide speech understanding, implantable devices may be considered.  Based on the results of the audiologic testing, you would be referred to the appropriate medical center to be evaluated as a candidate for an implantable device. This involves evaluation by neuro-otologists as well as audiologists who specialize in implantable devices. These devices may be covered by medical insurance.

Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA )

BAHA devices bypass the outer and middle ears to send the sound directly to the inner ear. These devices are most often used when the ear canal is closed to sound. They are also used to provide sound awareness in adults who have experiences complete loss of hearing on one side (single -sided deafness) to allow sounds from the “bad” ear to be heard by the “good” ear.

Cochlear Implants

When hearing loss becomes significant and you are no longer able to understand speech well with hearing instruments, a cochlear implant may be considered.  A cochlear implant provides direct stimulation of the auditory nerve to allow perception of sound. It has two major components: the processor (much like a behind the ear hearing aid) and the internal electrode array. The three manufacturers of cochlear implants are:

Hybrid Implants

Cochlear Corporation makes a Hybrid Hearing device which combines a hearing aid with a cochlear implant.  This device is designed to help those who have hearing preservation in the low frequencies, but no usable hearing in the high frequencies.  The implant technology is used to stimulate the auditory nerve directly just as a cochlear implant would across multiple frequencies.  The Cochlear Implant, Hybrid Implant, and Brainstem Implant look similar when worn. 

Auditory Brainstem Implants

If the auditory nerve is no longer able to transmit a signal to the brain about sound, a brainstem implant may be considered.  It uses an array of electrodes to stimulate the auditory brainstem directly so sounds can be perceived.