EwingOur Technology Consultant Paul Harris has developed a simple and safe method to monitor the Cochlear Osia or Med-EL Bonebridge devices.
These devices are bone conduction implants placed fully under the skin, and combined with a small external magnetic processor held onto the head. The processor receives sounds through the microphone, converts them into a digital signal, and combines them with an inductive field to both power and provide the signal to the implant. The active implant sends sound to the cochlea using bone conduction.
Paul suggests listening to the implant by placing a stethoscope on the head, avoiding the hair (pictured here). ‘The stethoscope makes it easier to hear the child’s implant,’ said Paul. ‘The child’s mother was understandably emotional because she could hear her son’s digital ear picking up the television being transmitted wirelessly.’
Paul goes on to say that, ‘It’s important as part of a regular listening check to ensure that the implant, processor and any external Personal Wireless System or Digital Streaming Device is working optimally with no reduction in clarity of sound. This helps provide both peace of mind to the family and the best opportunity for listening and learning in the classroom environment.’
Please contact us if you would like to learn more about our audiology technology support.