When most people think about hearing aids, they picture conventional devices that boost sound through the ear canal. But for individuals with certain types of hearing loss, especially those dealing with chronic ear problems or single-sided deafness, a different type of technology could provide better clarity and comfort: bone conduction hearing devices.
How Bone Conduction Hearing Devices Work
With bone conduction hearing devices, the outer and middle ear are bypassed. Instead of sending sound through the air, they transfer vibrations through the bones of the skull to the inner ear (cochlea), where the sound is processed. This allows sound to reach the auditory nerve even when there is an obstruction or injury in the ear canal. Think of it like this: If you’ve ever stopped up your ears and still heard your voice when speaking, that’s bone conduction.
Bone Conduction vs. Traditional Hearing Aids
Conventional hearing aids boost sound and direct it through the ear canal. This works well for people who have sensorineural hearing loss, where the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. On the other hand, if there are issues with the external or middle ear dued to infection, fluid collection, or structural concerns, standard hearing aids might not work well or be comfortable. Bone conduction hearing devices can be a more reliable alternative in such situations as they avoid the problematic regions and transfer sound directly to the cochlea.
Bone Conduction Candidates
Bone conduction devices are beneficial for:
- Conductive hearing loss, when sound has difficulty moving through the outer or middle ear at all.
- Persistent ear infections or problems with fluid drainage could be aggravated by conventional hearing aids.
- Individuals with malformed ear canals or missing outer ears, who may not be candidates for traditional devices.
- A condition known as unilateral deafness, where a person experiences substantial or complete hearing loss in one ear. These devices offer a non-invasive option that is often more comfortable, particularly for children and adults with persisting ear issues.
Options that include implantable and non-implantable solutions:
There are two principal classifications of bone conduction choices: Implantable and non-implantable devices.
- External non-implantable devices are usually fastened using a headband, softband, or adhesive pad. They’re suitable for children, those trying out bone conduction for the first time, or individuals not prepared for surgery.
- Implantable (surgically installed): These devices include a small implant under the skin that connects with an external sound processor. They tend to offer stronger performance and stability for long-term users. Your audiologist or ENT specialist can help determine which option is right based on your age, anatomy, and hearing goals.
Key Advantages of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices
- Ideal for sensitive ears – does not necessitate insertion into the ear canal
- Good audio quality remains consistent, in spite of recurring problems with the ears
- Great for distinct anatomy– helpful for individuals born without a full outer ear or with other structural variations
- Enhanced communication– particularly in school, work, or noisy environments
If you or your child has trouble hearing in one or both ears, especially because of ongoing infections or problems with sound transmission, it may be helpful to consider bone conduction hearing devices.
Book an appointment with an audiologist today to get further information.
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
