How bone conduction solutions work

What is bone conduction hearing?

There are several ways to hear. One is when sounds travel to our eardrums through the ear canal. This way of hearing is called air conduction.

Another way is when sound vibrations travel through bones in our head. This way of hearing is called bone conduction. 

The vibrations bypass the eardrum and transmit sounds straight to the inner-ear, which transforms the sounds into a message for our brain.

Both types of hearing work together to help us hear and perceive sound.

How bone conduction implants work

A bone conduction implant system can bypass damaged or blocked parts of the ear and deliver vibrations directly to the inner ear. The inner ear converts the vibrations to electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.

Bone conduction implants work by using the body's natural ability to conduct sound. They are designed for people with single-sided hearing loss, conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss.

There are three parts to a bone conduction system:

• a small titanium implant that is surgically inserted in the bone behind the ear

• an abutment or a magnet that connects the implant to the sound processor

• an external sound processor.

Together, these parts bypass the section of the ear that isn't working, sending vibrations directly through the bone to the inner ear.