Middle Ear Implants

photo: MED-EL

Making connections.

Middle Ear Implants

The University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service welcomes referrals for consideration for a middle ear implant for patients who have moderate to severe hearing loss and cannot use a hearing aid. The service includes assessment, implantation and life long follow-up for middle ear implant recipients.

What is it?

Sound processor and internal components of a middle ear implant

Middle ear implants are surgically implanted hearing aids which send a signal to the middle ear without the need for ear moulds. Middle ear implants can be fully implantable or semi-implantable.

How does it work?

Patient benefit

They work using a microphone to pick up sound, processes it and deliver it via a mechanical vibration directly to the middle ear.

Patients report the following benefits No discomfort Able to use consistently

Who is it for?

More natural sound

A middle ear implant is suitable for people with moderate to severe hearing losses who are unable to gain benefit from hearing aids because of any of the following

Benefit in background noise

Recurrent otitis externa Feedback Occlusion effect Ear mould discomfort Abnormal meatus Abnormal pinna Meatal stenosis Atresia Mastoid cavity problems People with sensorineural or mixed hearing losses may be suitable.

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No feedback issues Cosmetically appealing Contact us Please feel free to contact us for further information.

All enquiries to: Middle Ear Implant Programme University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service Building 19 Highfield Southampton so17 1bj United Kingdom Telephone: 023 8059 3522 Fax: 023 8059 9608 SMS: 07887 790 765 Email: ais@southampton.ac.uk

“The main advantage of this approach is to bypass the external ear canal and deliver mechanical vibration directly to the middle ear, avoiding the side effects of ear moulds.�

Mike Pringle, Consultant Otologist

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www.southampton.ac.uk/ais ais@southampton.ac.uk +44 (0)23 8059 3522