When the majority of individuals think about hearing aids, they picture traditional devices that boost sound through the ear canal. But for individuals with specific types of hearing loss, particularly those coping with persistent ear issues or single-sided deafness, a different type of technology could provide better quality and comfort: bone conduction hearing devices.
The Functionality of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices
With bone conduction hearing devices, the outer and middle ear are bypassed. Rather than sending sound through the air, they transmit vibrations through the bones of the head to the inner ear (cochlea), where the sound is processed. This allows sound to reach the auditory nerve even if there is a blockage or injury in the ear canal. Think of it this way: If you’ve ever stopped up your ears and still heard your voice when talking, that’s bone conduction.
Bone Conduction vs. Traditional Hearing Aids
Conventional hearing aids amplify sound and funnel it through the ear canal. This strategy is especially effective for people who have experienced damage to the inner ear or the nerve responsible for transferring sound, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss. On the other hand, if there are problems with the outer or middle ear dued to infection, fluid accumulation, or structural problems, standard hearing aids may not work efficiently or be comfortable. Bone conduction hearing devices can be a more effective alternative in such situations as they avoid the problematic regions and transmit sound directly to the cochlea.
Bone Conduction Candidates
Bone conduction devices are helpful for:
- Conductive hearing loss, when sound has trouble traveling through the outer or middle ear at all.
- Chronic ear infections or drainage problems, where traditional hearing aids could worsen the condition.
- People with deformed ear canals or the absence of outer ears, who may not qualify for conventional devices.
- A condition known as unilateral deafness, where a person experiences significant or total hearing loss in one ear. These devices offer a non-invasive alternative that is often more comfortable, especially for children and adults with recurring ear problems.
Options that include implantable and non-implantable techniques:
There are two primary types of bone conduction hearing devices:
- Non-implantable (worn externally): These are usually kept in place with a headband, softband, or adhesive pad. They are excellent for kids, people experimenting with bone conduction for the first time, or people who are not prepared for surgery.
- Surgically implanted devices consist of a tiny device placed beneath the skin, which is linked to a separate sound processor worn outside the body. Long-term users often find that they provide more effective and reliable results. Your audiologist or ENT specialist can help decide which option is right based on your age, anatomy, and hearing goals.
Advantages of Using Bone Conduction Hearing Devices
- Comfortable for sensitive ears– no need to place anything inside the ear canal
- Great audio quality stays consistent, despite ongoing issues with the ears
- Excellent for unique anatomy– helpful for individuals born without a full outer ear or with other structural variations
- Enhanced communication– especially in school, work, or noisy environments
If you or your child copes with hearing in one or both ears, particularly due to chronic infections or conductive issues, bone conduction hearing devices could be worth exploring.
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