Hearing implants are hearing devices that are implanted in the ear. There are different types of hearing implants – cochlear implants, bone conduction devices, brain stem implants, and middle ear implants.
The one most relevant for a person with hearing loss depends on the cause and the hearing loss. But in many cases, hearing implants are appropriate when a person with hearing loss would not benefit appropriately from the sound amplification of hearing aids or, for some reason, is unable to wear hearing aids.
Are there different types of hearing implants? Absolutely! And these are:
- Cochlear implants (CI)
- Middle ear implants (MEI)
- Auditory brain stem implants (ABI)
- Bone conduction devices
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants (CI) make it achievable for you to hear and comprehend sounds even with hair cells damaged in the inner ear and may have severe or profound hearing loss. Cochlear Implant by The Listening Lab is a trusted hearing center in Singapore where you can go to if ever you need one for yourself or for someone you love. Check out the cochlear implants we work with here.
Middle ear implants
The middle ear implant (MEI) obtains sounds and recasts them into vibrations sent to the middle ear and toward the inner ear.
Bone conduction devices
Bone conduction devices transform sounds into vibrations sent instantly into the inner ear through the head’s bones. There are also active and passive bone conduction devices; with an active device, the skin stays intact. The bone conduction devices bypass the outer ear and the middle ear.
Bone-conducted hearing solutions are used by people with conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss and whose outer or middle ears cannot conduct sound properly into the inner ear. They may also be used in the event of an irritated, damaged, or malformed ear canal.
People who have atresia and microtia may benefit from a bone conduction device.
Auditory brain stem implants
The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is an implant that transforms sounds into signals sent directly to the brain, circumventing the non-functioning or non-existent auditory nerve.
An implant does not repair normal hearing. However, it can provide a hard-of-hearing person with a proper representation of sounds in the environment and assist them in understanding speech. If you believe that you or any of your family or friends are experiencing hearing loss, it is best to have it checked with a hearing care professional.
You may be a candidate for a cochlear implant if you have profound or severe hearing loss. To be sure, you can reach out to us for a comprehensive consultation. You may book your appointment with us here. You may also send over your enquiries through our contact form.