Hearing aids have bridged tremendous communication gaps over the years; however, in some cases, this technology may not be the right solution for your unique situation or lifestyle. Hearing Professionals of Alabama is proud to be the only clinic in the area to offer cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs). Contact us today for a consultation to see if you are a candidate for these state-of-the-art devices, they are suitable for a range of different individuals, including children as young as a year old.
What is a Cochlear Implant?
This neuro-prosthetic device is surgically implanted and provides the sense of sound by stimulating the auditory nerve. Cochlear implants don’t “cure” hearing loss or “restore” hearing, but instead, bypass a damaged inner ear to allow the brain to process and interpret sound.
How Does it Work?
There are two parts to a cochlear implant, one internal and one external, each playing a key role:
- External sound processor: a microphone and speech processor are housed in a transmitter unit that looks like a behind-the-ear hearing aid.
- Internal: a receiver and electrodes are placed under the skin on the temporal bone. The receiver converts the transmitter’s signals into electrical pulses that are dispatched to the electrodes, which stimulate the auditory nerve. The brain interprets the signals as sound.
Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs)
BAHAs treat conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness. They are a great choice for patients who have severe ear malformations on one side, since they are recommended for people who have one inner ear that operates normally. The BAHA transmits sound vibrations transmitted by bone conduction to the inner ear.
There are non-surgical options, but if you and your audiologist decide that an implant is the best choice for you, a titanium implant will be surgically inserted into the mastoid bone found behind your ear. The implant integrates with the bone over time.
How Do BAHAs Work?
There are two parts to a BAHA, one internal and one external, each playing a key role:
- External sound processor: the bone-anchored external microphone and sound processor convert environmental sound to vibrations, which are transmitted to the embedded implant. Depending on your device, you may be able to remove the external part of the BAHA.
- Internal: the titanium implant vibrates the surrounding bone and transmits sound waves into the inner ear, stimulates the hair cells, and activates the auditory nerve.
Do You Qualify?
If you’re looking for hearing loss treatment, the first step is to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly team members. We will run an array of hearing tests to determine how severe your condition is and whether or not you could benefit from traditional devices. If we find these devices won’t be suitable for your preferences, we will work with you to recommend the best implantable solution for your individual needs.