Vibrant Soundbridge
The Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) is an active middle ear implant and is an alternative to conventional hearing aids. It consists of two components: the implant (VORP), which is placed under the skin in an operation, and a speech processor worn behind the ear, which is connected to the implant via a magnet. The VSB is therefore a partially implantable hearing system.
A microphone integrated into the speech processor picks up the sound, which is converted into electrical signals. These signals are transmitted to the implant. From there, the signals reach the so-called FMT (Floating Mass Transducer), a tiny magnet that is placed on the ossicular chain, a middle ear prosthesis, the round or oval window in the middle ear. The FMT converts the electrical signal into mechanical vibrations and thus sets the ossicular chain, the round or oval window in motion. This can then excite the inner ear.
The Vibrant Soundbridge significantly improves sound quality and speech intelligibility, especially in noisy environments. The sound comes very close to "natural hearing". As the ear canal remains clear, feedback, which can occur with conventional hearing aids, is avoided.
Indications
The VSB can be used for mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss, conductivehearing loss and combined hearing loss .
As it is an alternative to conventional hearing aids, but is significantly more expensive, certain conditions must be met before a VSB can be prescribed.
- Medical indication for fitting with conventional hearing aids given
and - Treatment with conventional hearing aids is not possible for medical or audiological reasons,
e.g. in the case of ear malformations, chronically recurring middle ear inflammation with ear discharge, ear canal eczema, psoriasis or allergic skin diseases of the ear canal
Treatment with the Vibrant Soundbridge
- Prerequisite: willingness and ability to handle the device
- Implantation of the VSB in the bone behind the ear and fixation of the FMT to a movable middle ear structure under general anaesthetic (approx. 1-2 hours)
- Healing time until activation 6-8 weeks
- Fitting of the VSB 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
- Dizziness, ringing in the ears
- Facial nerve paralysis, taste disturbance
- haematoma in the operation area with possible re-operation
- Device defect