In a previous column a writer asked you about a hearing aid losing its effectiveness because of sweaty ears and pressure buildup. I was surprised you didn't mention the new implantable hearing aids. They would seem to eliminate these problems, though I don't know how good they are yet. What do your experts say about implantable aids?
A: Implantable hearing aids are a new system that consists of a tiny magnet placed inside the middle ear and an external sound processor.
In the implant procedure the eardrum is carefully lifted up, providing access to the middle ear. A micro-magnet is then placed on a segment of the tiny bones in the middle ear, and then the eardrum flap is closed. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthetic.
Because it uses electromagnetic waves instead of air pressure to amplify volume, the new hearing system eliminates pressure buildup, feedback, distortion and squealing common with standard hearing aids.
Dr. Phillip A. Wackym, professor and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin, says that the implantable system is appropriate for people who have mild to moderate hearing loss from inner ear nerve damage. His patients have been very pleased with the results.
The package price is about $6,000 for the device, examination, surgery and follow-up. The good news is that the implantable magnet should last forever and not require replacement. The external portion which fits in the ear canal may need to be changed every five years or so.
For more information, see the HealthLink article Implantable System Replaces Traditional Hearing Aids.
Article Created: 2002-02-26
Article Updated: 2002-02-28
"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.
