Implantable Bone Conduction Devices

A bone conduction device is a type of hearing aid that amplifies sound by vibrating the bones of the skull. This action directly stimulates the hearing organ. A bone conduction device is used when sound cannot pass typically through the middle ear.

There are both surgical and non-surgical options for bone conduction devices. Our centre works with both types. Non-surgical options typically use a bone-conduction hearing aid held against the skin by tape or headband. Surgical options may involve either a percutaneous or transcutaneous option.

Percutaneous devices

A surgery is needed to place a titanium implant in the skull. This implant is used to connect to the bone conduction device once the bony tissue has healed. Our facility continues to provide long-term follow-up care for patients who have had this type of surgery. We provide audiological services to individuals with:

• Oticon Medical – Ponto
• Cochlear – Baha

We are not actively performing these types of surgeries at this time.

Transcutaneous devices

A surgery is needed to place an internal implant in the skull. The implant connects with a speech processor by magnet. When the two devices are worn together the implant actively vibrates the bones of the skull stimulating the hearing organ directly.

Our team provides audiological services to individuals with:

• Cochlear Osia devices;
• MED-EL BoneBridge devices.

These systems can help individuals with conductive or mixed hearing loss. These systems can also provide benefit to those with single-sided deafness. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for implantation.

For individuals with conductive or mixed hearing losses a transcutaneous bone conduction implant can overcome a loss of hearing in the middle ear by stimulating the nerve of hearing directly.

For individuals with single-sided deafness, these devices can transfer sound from the poorer-hearing ear to the better-hearing ear.

You can wash your hair as directed by your surgeon. Each surgeon has his/her preferences, but typically you can wash your hair one week after surgery.

The external audio processor of your transcutaneous implant will be activated four to six weeks after surgery. It is important for the area to have healed fully before activation.

The implantable component of these devices are currently covered by hospital funding through the Ontario Ministry of Health.

The external audio processor is not covered, and costs approximately $6,000 including all fitting and dispensing fees. This amount (approx.. $6, 000) is the responsibility of the person getting the bone conduction implant.

The cost of the initial transcutaneous implant and external sound processor is covered by OHIP. There is partial funding via the Assistive Devices Program towards the cost of replacement sound processors once out of warranty.

You may contact your private insurance provider to inquire about coverage for this type of hearing system. If you wish to submit a letter to your insurance company to support funding for your device, your audiologist will provide one upon request.

The external audio processor comes with a three-year manufacturer's warranty from the day your processor is activated. The internal implant has a five-year warranty; however, you should consider the internal component to be a lifetime implant.

All audio processor repairs required within the three-year warranty period are covered. You should speak with your audiologist to arrange all repairs that are under warranty.

Repairs required outside of the warranty period currently cost approximately $500 and include a 90-day warranty on the repair.

Yes, your audio processor can be re-programmed. You will need to make an appointment to see your audiologist for these adjustments.

Because a part of the device is implanted, it is not possible to try it before your surgery. You will, however, be able to hear simulated benefits of the implantable device by trying a bone conduction headband during your consultation appointment with the audiologist or surgeon.

We are unable to allow clients to take the headband home to try for longer periods.

Transcutaneous bone-conduction implants were approved by Health Canada in 2013. Sunnybrook has been performing these surgeries since that time. Ask your audiologist or surgeon for the current number of completed transcutaneous bone-conduction implant surgeries.

Yes, you can use a phone with the audio processor. The phone headset is simply placed over the audio processor.

The audio processor is water-resistant but it is not waterproof. You should remove the processor before showering, bathing or swimming.

If you think that you may be a candidate for a transcutaneous bone conduction device, ask your family doctor to refer you to Dr. Joseph Chen, Dr. Vincent Lin, or Dr. Trung Le for assessment.

You may also contact audiology@sunnybrook.ca. Once your referral is received, you will be scheduled for an audiogram to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this type of device.