New option for hearing impaired after successful surgeries
A Toowoomba first, patients whose hearing loss can’t benefit from conventional hearing aids and who are not candidates for cochlear implants can now access an innovative implant technology at St Vincent’s Private Hospital.
Local ear nose and throat surgeon Dr Suresh Mahendran implanted the first Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear devices during surgeries yesterday.
He was assisted by Sydney ENT surgeon Dr Sean Flanagan.
The Soundbridge system consists of two main parts.
The externally worn audio processor, about the size of a 20 cent piece, picks up sounds and sends them to the internal implant a quarter the size of a grain of rice, which is placed just under the skin behind the ear. The implant takes the sound waves and turns them into mechanical vibrations that set the structures of the middle ear in motion.
The motions stimulate the cochlea, similar to a normal functioning ear, which leads to a great natural sound quality.
Soundbridge is the first and only middle ear implant available on the prosthesis list, which means that private health insurance is able to fund the cost of the implant and audio processor for eligible paIN
‘‘ THE IMPLANT TAKES THE SOUND WAVES AND TURNS THEM INTO MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS THAT SET THE STRUCTURES OF THE MIDDLE EAR IN MOTION.
tients.
The system is the only middle ear implant that can be used by children, as well as adults.
Its unique design means that children as young as five years can experience natural sound quality, which helps them to develop just like their peers.
The newly-installed devices will be switched on a few weeks, giving patients time to recover and heal from the surgery.