Bonebridge

 

The Bonebridge is an active bone conduction implant that conducts sound directly to the inner ear via the bone. Unlike the BAHA, the implant lies completely under the skin (partially implantable hearing system). It receives its signals from a magnetically coupled audio processor that is worn on the head behind the ear.

 

 

Indications


Like other bone conduction hearing aids, the Bonebridge is used when sound transmission via the auditory canal and/or the middle ear to the inner ear does not work.


Conductive hearing loss (sound transmission to the middle ear is impaired) or
Combined hearing loss (sound transmission to the middle ear is impaired AND inner ear damage)

  • Cause cannot be sufficiently remedied by middle ear surgery and fitting with conventional hearing aids is not possible
  • Last hearing ear: an operation that could correct the cause of the hearing impairment would mean a high risk of deafness

Examples:

Ear canal/middle ear malformation, chronically recurring middle ear infection with ear discharge, ear canal eczema, psoriasis or allergic skin diseases of the ear canal


One-sided deafness
e.g. due to

  • Vestibular schwannoma
  • sudden hearing loss
  • Meningitis
  • Menière's disease
  • Ear surgery
  • congenital

The audiological results to date are comparable to those of the BAHA, although the attenuation through the skin is eliminated with the Bonebridge. The advantages of the Bonebridge are the extremely rare occurrence of skin irritation, as the implant is completely covered by skin, and the ease of handling. The cost of batteries is usually covered by health insurance companies.

 

Treatment with the Bonebridge
  • Prerequisite: willingness and ability to use the device
  • Testing of a bone conduction hearing aid for at least 3 weeks before an operation
  • Implantation of the Bonebridge in the bone behind the ear under general anaesthetic (approx. 0.5-1 hour)
  • Healing time until activation 2-4 weeks
  • Fitting of the Bonebridge via the hearing aid acoustician
  • Check-ups in our cochlear implant consultation and/or with your treating ENT specialist

 

Main surgical risks
  • Unsatisfactory hearing success
  • Inflammation due to material intolerance with the need for explantation
  • Shadow cast by the implant in CT/MRI with insufficient analysability of the examinations
  • Haematoma in the surgical area with possible re-operation
  • Device defect