Traditional hearing aids send amplified sound through the ear canal and middle ear. When that pathway is blocked or damaged, a bone conduction device may be a better option.
How It Works
Your inner ear can detect sound through vibrations in the skull, not just through the ear canal. Bone conduction devices convert sound into vibrations and deliver them through the skull bone directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear entirely.
Who May Benefit
Bone conduction devices are commonly recommended for patients with:
- Conductive or mixed hearing loss
- Chronic ear infections or draining ears that make wearing a hearing aid difficult
- A closed or absent ear canal (atresia) or underdeveloped outer ear (microtia)
- Single-sided deafness, where sound from the poorer side is routed to the better-hearing ear
Device Options
Implantable devices are anchored to the skull during a short outpatient procedure. After a healing period, the sound processor is attached and programmed by an audiologist. Systems differ in whether the connection passes through the skin or sits entirely beneath it, and each has trade-offs in sound quality, daily care, and appearance.
Getting Started
Most patients can trial a bone conduction processor on a headband during their appointment to hear the difference before making a decision. At JHBI, our audiologists and medical team work together on evaluation, device selection, surgery if needed, and ongoing programming.
To find out whether a bone conduction device is right for you or your child, call the us at (904) 399-0350