According to NIDCD most of the hearing losses occur between 20 to 69 years of age with the greatest risk in 60 to 69 years old people. Sometimes hearing aids do not work for those having hearing problems. They, therefore, are suggested bone conduction hearing systems or cochlear implants. But many people are not aware of what they are and how they work.
This article focuses on working on bone-anchored hearing systems and covers the necessary information about them.
What is the bone conduction hearing system?
Bone conduction hearing devices are an excellent alternative to natural hearing systems for those having problems in their middle or outer ear. They are also called bone-anchored auditory implants. Unlike cochlear implants they are suitable for those who have at least one of their inner ear working correctly. The work by sending signals to the inner ear through the skull bone by creating a new pathway. The brain then interprets the signals as sound for understanding the meaning of speech.
Bone conduction hearing aid can be used along with the traditional hearing aid on the opposite ear. There are three different types of these devices.
Who can get a bone conduction hearing aid?
People who cannot be benefited from traditional hearing aids are eligible for getting bone conduction hearing treatments. Typically, people with consequent losses can get this treatment.
What are the features of bone conduction hearing systems?
How do they work?
The working of bone-anchored hearing involves two parts: A Titanium bone implant and a sound processor.
Bone conduction hearing aids are not a permanent treatment. In fact, they are only a small part of the hearing loss management journey. Once you are your loved one decides to have this treatment, it should only be considered a part of your journey.
It would help if you worked together with your audiologist to help your brain make sense of the information sent by this system. You can not rely on these systems throughout your life to hear normally; instead, they are better options for those awaiting hearing surgeries.
Thanks for reading.