When the majority of people think of hearing aids, they picture traditional devices that boost sound through the ear canal. For people struggling with specific hearing impairments, such as relentless ear problems or unilateral deafness, an alternative option may provide improved sound quality and user comfort: bone conduction hearing aids.
How Bone Conduction Hearing Devices Work
Bone conduction hearing devices work by bypassing the outer and middle ear. Rather than relying on airwaves to convey sound, these devices use the head’s bones to direct vibrations directly to the cochlea, the inner ear’s sound-processing center. This allows sound to reach the auditory nerve even when there is an obstruction or injury in the ear canal. Think of it this way: If you’ve ever stopped up your ears and still heard your voice when speaking, that’s bone conduction.
Distinction between Bone Conduction and Conventional Hearing Aids
Traditional hearing aids amplify sound and direct it through the ear canal. This approach is especially helpful for people who have experienced damage to the inner ear or the nerve in charge of transferring sound, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss. However, if there are issues with the external or middle ear caused by infection, fluid collection, or structural problems, standard hearing aids might not work efficiently or be comfortable. Bone conduction hearing devices are often a more reliable alternative in such situations as they steer clear of the problematic regions and transmit sound directly to the cochlea.
Best Candidates For Bone Conduction
Bone conduction devices are helpful for:
- Conductive hearing loss, when sound has trouble traveling through the outer or middle ear at all.
- Persistent ear infections or drainage issues, where traditional hearing aids could aggravate the condition.
- People with malformed ear canals or missing outer ears, who may not be candidates for conventional devices.
- Single-sided deafness (SSD), where one ear has severe hearing loss or no hearing. These gadgets provide a non-intrusive option that is typically more comfortable, especially for individuals, both young and old, who experience frequent ear problems.
Implantable vs. Non-Implantable Solutions:
There are two principal categories of bone conduction choices: Implantable and non-implantable devices.
- Non-implantable (worn externally): These are typically kept in place with a headband, softband, or adhesive pad. They are excellent for children, those experimenting with bone conduction for the first time, or people who are not prepared for surgery.
- Surgically embeded devices involve a tiny device inserted underneath the skin, which is linked to a separate sound processor mounted outside the body. Long-term users often find that they provide more effective and dependable results. Your audiologist or ENT specialist can help determine which option is right based upon your age, anatomy, and hearing goals.
Key Benefits of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices
- Comfortable for sensitive ears– no need to place anything into the ear canal
- Clear sound quality, even with chronic ear problems
- Perfect for people with distinct physical attributes – this alternative is particularly beneficial for individuals with congenital conditions impacting the outer ear or other physiological variations.
- Improved communication is particularly beneficial in educational settings, professional environments, or loud surroundings
If you or your child has trouble hearing in one or both ears, particularly because of ongoing infections or issues with sound transmission, it might be beneficial to consider bone conduction hearing devices.
Schedule a consultation with a hearing specialist today.
Sources: https://www.dukehealth.org/treatments/ear-nose-and-throat/bone-conduction-hearing-aid https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/baha–the-implantable- hearing-device https://www.ndcs.org.uk/advice-and-support/all-advice-and-support-topics/hearing-aids- implants-and-assistive-technology/ hearing-aids-and-implants/ bone-conduction-devices https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14794-bone-anchored-auditory-implant
The content of this blog is the intellectual property of MedPB.com and is reprinted here with permission.
The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
