Learning Objectives: 30% of the population over 65 years of age is hearing impaired, corresponding to 7% of the general population. At the present time, this frequent handicap can only reduced by the use of hearing aids allowing to deliver higher sound energy to the inner ear. These prosthesis have undergone tremendous improvement over the last few years in particular on the electronic and aesthetic aspects. In this presentation, we will review the progresses which have been made on implantable hearing devices transmitting the sound energy directly to the ossicular chain in the middle ear.
Semi implantable devices are composed of an external part containing the microphone, the battery and the electronic transferring the information transcutaneously to the internal receiver which activates the transducer attached to the ossicular chain.
In the fully Implantable Hearing Device, the subcutaneous microphone picks up ambient sounds, converts them into an electrical signal, amplifies the signal according to the wearer's needs, and sends it to an electro-mechanical transducer. The transducer tip is mounted in a laser-drilled hole in the body of the incus and translates the electrical signal into a mechanical motion that directly stimulates the ossicles and enables the wearer to perceive sound. The implanted battery is recharged daily via an external charger and the wearer can turn the implant on and off with a hand held remote control.
