6.2. Bone conduction hearing devices (BCHD)

Resource | 16.06.2023 | By imran_mulla

6.2. Bone conduction hearing devices (BCHD)

Introduction:

Section 3.9 discussed the assessment process for obtaining bone conduction hearing implants. This section will look in more detail at the technology itself.

A bone conduction hearing device (BCHD) transmits sound directly through the skull bone to the cochlea, bypassing the outer and middle ear cavity.

BCHDs can be fitted when there is a purely conductive hearing loss, eg glue ear, long-term middle ear problems, or when behind-the-ear (BTE) HAs are not appropriate, eg microtia, atresia, or for single-sided deafness (SSD).

A BCHD can be surgically implanted.

However, there are other ways for BCHDs to be worn:

on a softband, eg

on a hardband, eg

on a sticky pad, eg

听

How a BCHD works

Bone conduction hearing implant (MED-EL)

Bone conduction hearing aid (non-surgical) (MED-EL)

Baha (Cochlear)

A BCHD (not implanted) gently vibrates the skull bone. The microphones on the sound processor (worn behind the ear) pick up sounds and convert these sounds to vibrations, which are carried through the skull bone to the inner ear.

Bone conduction hearing implants have two parts: a titanium bone implant and an external sound processor. The external microphone and sound processor of the bone-anchored device picks up sounds and converts them into vibrations to the embedded implant. In turn, the implant vibrates the surrounding bone, which sets up sound waves in the inner ear that stimulate the hair cells and result in the firing of the auditory nerve.

Parts of the device

Sound processor
Abutment (if bone anchored)
Implanted magnet (if a magnetic retention)
Osseointegrated implant

Makes and models available in the UK

MED-EL: ADHEAR, BONEBRIDGE

Cochlear: Baha, Osia

Oticon Medical: Ponto

BHM: Contact Mini

Considerations for QToDs

Checking the device

Connectivity

Radio aids

It is not possible to plug a receiver into a BCHD. A receiver may be plugged into the remote microphone/streamer and the radio aid transmission can be streamed to the BCHD.

Cochlear

Oticon

How to pair Oticon Ponto to Edu Mic:

MED-EL

Streaming with SAMBA 2 GO

Using remote microphones

(Disclaimer 鈥� video shows a Phonak MLXi and Phonak Roger Pen 鈥� Note MLXI is not compatible with Phonak Roger Pen.)

听

Bluetooth pairing

Android

iOS

Amazon

鈥� there is a video on this link demonstrating how to pair hearing devices with Amazon Fire TV

听

91原片