Middle ear implants-various aspects-
Middle ear implants are surgically placed hearing devices that stimulate the middle ear bones to enhance hearing, especially for those who cannot use standard hearing aids or bone conduction devices for medical reasons.
Here’s a more thorough explanation:
How they function:
Mechanism:
Middle ear implants operate by directly stimulating the bones of the middle ear (ossicles) or the cochlea’s membrane window, amplifying sound vibrations and relaying them to the inner ear.
Components:
These implants generally consist of an external processor (worn behind the ear) and an internal implant surgically inserted into the middle ear.
Sound Transmission:
The external processor captures sound, converts it into electrical signals, and sends them to the internal implant, which subsequently vibrates the middle ear bones or the cochlear membrane, enhancing sound transmission.
When they are utilized:
Alternative to Standard Hearing Aids:
Middle ear implants serve as an option for individuals who do not benefit from standard hearing aids or bone conduction devices, or who have medical conditions that inhibit their use of these devices.
Types of Hearing Loss:
They can be advantageous for people with conductive, sensorineural, or mixed hearing loss.
Specific Conditions:
They may be assessed for individuals with narrow, collapsed, or closed ear canals, malformed ears, or those experiencing skin issues or ear infections.
Types of Middle Ear Implants:
Passive Middle Ear Implants:
These implants are created to substitute damaged or non-functional bones in the middle ear, restoring the mechanical chain of sound transmission.
Active Middle Ear Implants:
These implants necessitate an external sound processor to transform sounds into electrical signals, which are then sent to the internal implant, stimulating the middle ear bones in response.
Bone Conduction Implants:
These implants, such as the MED-EL BONEBRIDGE, are surgically positioned behind the ear and transmit sound vibrations through the skull’s bones directly to the inner ear.
Benefits:
Improved Hearing:
Middle ear implants can greatly enhance hearing, especially for individuals who have not achieved success with standard hearing aids.
Enhanced Sound Quality:
They can improve sound quality, facilitating easier hearing and understanding of speech.
Reduced Acoustic Feedback:
They can remove or lessen acoustic feedback, which can be an issue with standard hearing aids.
Improved Quality of Life:
By enhancing hearing, middle ear implants can elevate an individual’s overall quality of life.
If Any Patient of ENT Requires Any Surgery, Opd Consultation Or Online Consultation In Clinic of ENT Specialist Doctor Dr. Sagar Rajkuwar ,He May Contact Him At The Following Address-
Prabha ENT Clinic, Plot no 345,Saigram Colony, Opposite Indoline Furniture Ambad Link Road ,Ambad ,1 km From Pathardi Phata Nashik ,422010 ,Maharashtra, India-Dr. Sagar Rajkuwar (MS-ENT), Cell No- 7387590194, 9892596635
Middle ear implants are utilized in situations where traditional hearing aids or bone conduction hearing devices are unsuitable due to medical factors.
These are hearing aids that are surgically implanted. They transmit a signal to the middle ear that mechanically vibrates the bones of the middle ear. This enhances the sound vibrations reaching the cochlea, where these vibrations are transformed into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.
They may be a viable option for children (aged five and older) who experience conductive, sensorineural, or mixed hearing loss and cannot use standard hearing aids.
These implants represent relatively new technology, and only a limited number of children in the UK currently have them.
On this page
How do they function?
What types exist?
Are they appropriate for my child?
Procedure
Technology
Batteries
Support networks
Implant facilities in the UK
How do middle ear implants function?
There are various types of middle ear implants, but they all operate in a similar manner. The implant is inserted surgically into the middle ear, and the transducer is either affixed to one of the middle ear bones (ossicles) or to the round window situated between the middle ear and the cochlea (inner ear).
Middle ear implants include a microphone that captures sound and a sound processor that transforms the acoustic signals received by the microphone into electrical signals. These electrical signals are then processed and amplified to accommodate the user’s type and severity of hearing loss.
The electrical signals are converted into mechanical vibrations that are directly delivered to the middle ear, thereby enhancing the transfer of sound waves to the inner ear (cochlea). Within the cochlea, the sound waves are identified by hair cells and interpreted as sound.
Middle ear implants can be
fully implantable – all components of the device are situated beneath the skin, eliminating the necessity for an external audio sound processor, or
semi-implantable – part of the device is worn externally on the ear while part is located in the middle ear, maintaining the openness of the ear canal.
What types of middle ear implants are available?
Fully implantable middle ear implants (Cochlear Carina, Envoy Esteem)
This variety of device is entirely implanted beneath the skin, devoid of any external components. The microphone of the Cochlear Carina is positioned under the skin behind the ear’s pinna (outer part), while the Envoy Esteem utilizes the eardrum’s movement as a microphone. A sound processor is embedded in the bone behind the ear, converting sound vibrations into electrical signals. This processor subsequently amplifies these signals, resulting in intensified mechanical vibrations within the middle ear. The augmented sound vibrations then enter the inner ear as they typically would and are transformed into electrical signals sent to the brain.
Having a fully implantable device means there are no external components to manage. It can be worn continuously, even during showering, hair washing, or swimming.
Semi-implantable middle ear implants (MED-EL Vibrant Soundbridge)
This type features an external audio processor that is positioned behind the ear and includes a magnet. The processor remains in place due to magnetic attraction to the implant situated beneath the skin.
The sound processor of the Vibrant Soundbridge can also be fully waterproofed with a protective cover.
It is advisable to upgrade your child’s audio processor every five years in order to keep up with technological advancements.
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Is a middle ear implant appropriate for your child?
Your child might be a candidate for a middle ear implant if there is a medical reason that hinders them from utilizing a conventional hearing aid or a bone conduction hearing device.
Middle ear implants are suitable for children who
have undergone ear surgery that complicates the use of a conventional hearing aid (for instance, mastoid cavity issues following surgery for cholesteatoma).
were born with underdeveloped outer ears (microtia, atresia)
are unable to wear their bone conduction hearing aid because of soft tissue medical issues or loss of fixture
cannot use conventional earmoulds due to allergies, eczema, or recurring outer ear infections (otitis externa).
They are also appropriate for children who cannot use conventional hearing aids and have:
stable (non-progressive) hearing loss
unilateral or bilateral (impacting both ears) deafness
moderate to severe hearing loss
hearing loss that may be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed
no middle ear infections
stable bone conduction thresholds exhibiting less than 15dB deterioration in 2 years
Process for acquiring a middle ear implant
Your local audiology service should carry out a thorough assessment of your child’s hearing, and your child will typically be given a conventional hearing aid for at least four weeks.
A hearing aid might not be advantageous for your child, or they may be unable to wear one due to a medical issue. If this is applicable to your child and they satisfy the criteria set by implant manufacturers, you should have the choice to be referred to the Hearing Implant Service for further evaluation.
The assessment process for a middle ear implant will be akin to that for receiving a bone conduction hearing device, and your child might interact with various personnel from the multidisciplinary team.
Surgery
The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and typically lasts between one and two hours. The implant is then activated approximately six to eight weeks later. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled after the initial activation to fine-tune the processor, with additional appointments arranged as necessary.
What do middle ear implants do?
Middle ear implants are utilized when traditional hearing aids or bone conduction hearing devices cannot be used for medical reasons. These devices are surgically implanted hearing aids. They transmit a signal to the middle ear, which then mechanically vibrates the bones of the middle ear.
What are the disadvantages of middle ear implants?
Complications of Middle Ear Implantable Hearing Prostheses
Risks encompass those linked to conventional mastoid surgery and facial recess technique, including hearing loss, alterations in taste sensation, facial nerve weakness, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and dizziness.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION IN GREAT DETAIL ON Ear Wax Cleaning Kit PL CLICK ON THE LINK GIVEN BELOW-It is always better to view links from laptop/desktop rather than mobile phone as they may not be seen from mobile phone. ,in case of technical difficulties you need to copy paste this link in google search. In case if you are viewing this blog from mobile phone you need to click on the three dots on the right upper corner of your mobile screen and ENABLE DESKTOP VERSION.
If Any Patient of ENT Requires Any Surgery, Opd Consultation Or Online Consultation In Clinic of ENT Specialist Doctor Dr. Sagar Rajkuwar ,He May Contact Him At The Following Address-
Prabha ENT Clinic, Plot no 345,Saigram Colony, Opposite Indoline Furniture Ambad Link Road ,Ambad ,1 km From Pathardi Phata Nashik ,422010 ,Maharashtra, India-Dr. Sagar Rajkuwar (MS-ENT), Cell No- 7387590194, 9892596635
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