Did you know you can ‘hear’ through your bones? Of course bones don’t translate sound waves like the inner ear. However, bones are porous and make great sound conductors. In fact, bones conduct sound so well, audiologists are using the skull to help people hear when they can’t use traditional behind-the-ear hearing aid (usually because of chronic ear infections or their ear structure prevents the components from fitting well)
The device is called a BAHA. This special technology takes every-day sound through a processor that sits directly on the side of the head. The sound is vibrated directly on to the the skull, moves through the inner ear, and then is passed to the brain.
Through a short surgery, patients receive a small titanium plate that attaches to the skull. The plate is later fitted with a small, metal post which helps the sound processor fit firmly on the head. Once everything is in place, the processor is turned on and the sound can instantly be sent via the skull and inner-ear directly to the brain.
So next time someone is snoring in your room and you can’t quite stop the noise with ear plugs or a pillow over you head, thank your bones for conducting the sound directly to your brain!
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To determine if you are a candidate for a bone-anchored implant, please call to schedule an appointment with our team of specialists by calling (801) 566-8304.
The physicians and audiologists at South Valley Ear Nose & Throat are specially trained in the surgery to place the device and to customize the programming of the electronics.