What is a Middle Ear Implant?

A middle ear implant is a hearing device that picks up sounds with an audio or sound processor. The sound processor sits on the head and converts the sound into mechanical stimulation of the middle ear's ossicles.

A middle ear implant makes the middle ear structures vibrate almost the same way as normal sounds; converting the sounds into vibrations moves the bones in the middle ear.

The ear canal remains completely open with a middle ear implant.

Parts of Middle Ear Implant:

This implant consists of an external and internal part.

• External part: The audio or sound process is the external component of the middle ear implant, which contains the microphone, the battery, and the digital signal processing. The sounds are converted into electrical signals, then transferred to the implant by the audio or sound processor. This processor is worn on the head and can be covered by the hair, and is held in place by a magnet.
• Internal part: A middle ear implant internal component is surgically placed under the skin towards the back of the head. Floating Mass Transducer(FMT) is one part of the internal component attached to a vibratory structure in the middle ear.

Depending on each patient's hearing needs, the FMT vibration occurs, causing the structures of the ear to vibrate.

How does a Middle Ear Implant work?

Sounds picked up by the audio or sound processor's microphone

Convert environmental sounds into a digital signal.

The digital signal is transmitted across the skin of the implant; the implant sends the signals via the conductor link to the Floating Mass Transducer (FMT) in the middle ear.

FMT converts the signal into vibrations that directly drive the middle ear structure.

The vibration sound is being conducted to the inner ear and the brain.

What are the uses of Middle Ear Implant?

Middle ear implant is used for the treatment of

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Conductive hearing loss
• Mixed hearing loss

People who can get benefit from the middle ear implant include:

• Experiencing an obstruction of the middle or outer ear.
• Those who cannot wear hearing aids or ear moulds.
• People who do not benefit from sound amplification.

If you think you may benefit from a middle ear implant, you should start to visit us.

We at Dr. Neetu Modgil, with an experience of over 15+ years, are here to give you the most appropriate middle ear implant based on your needs.