DailyTech - Patients with Middle Ear Troubles Could Hear Again with New Implant

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Science Patients with Middle Ear Troubles Could Hear Again with New Implant
Tiffany Kaiser - January 16, 2013 4:21 PM

7 comment(s) - last by geddarkstorm.. on Jan 17 at 12:58 PM

(Source: Boid/Chalmers)

The new implant doesn't require a screw and will not lead to skin infections

A new implant can act as a middle ear replacement for those suffering from chronic inflammation of the outer or middle ear, bone disease, or congenital malformations of the outer ear, auditory canal or middle ear.

The implant was developed by a team of researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, and led by Professor Bo Håkansson of the Department of Signals and Systems at Chalmers University of Technology.

While hearing aids are mainly for patients with neurological problems in the inner ear, those with mechanical hearing loss in the middle ear cannot benefit from them. Instead, these patients typically obtain implants that must be anchored to the skull using a titanium screw through the skin. However, patients must worry about losing the screw or infections in the skin.

Now, the new study has created an implant that doesn't require a screw and will not lead to skin infections.

The implant, called Bone Conduction Implant (BCI), which is less than six centimeters long, is inserted right behind the ear and attaches to the skull bone just beneath the skin. The skull bone is used to transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear through bone conduction.

The team even had their device implanted in the first patient on December 5, 2012. The surgery went well, and the implant was functional. It takes six weeks before the implant can be turned on, so it isn't clear what those results are yet. However, previous tests showed that patients can achieve a volume of 5 decibels higher and a better quality of sound at high frequencies.

Once the implant is turned on, it will be examined every three months until a year. At that point, a final X-ray and hearing test will be conducted.

Source: Science Daily

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wait, what?

By kleinma on 1/16/2013 4:27:42 PM , Rating: 2

All this time I thought I was normal only having an ear on the left of my head, and on the right of my head. Now you are telling me there are middle ears?

RE: wait, what?

By AlvinCool on 1/16/2013 6:09:35 PM , Rating: 2

Another kid sleeps through school.

Parent

RE: wait, what?

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 1/16/2013 9:12:02 PM , Rating: 2

Yep. I'm pretty sure this is covered in 2nd or 3rd grade, basic science.

Parent

RE: wait, what?

By CZroe on 1/16/2013 9:51:05 PM , Rating: 2

He's only joking about the wording.

Parent

RE: wait, what?

By CZroe on 1/16/2013 9:52:19 PM , Rating: 2

More specifically, the wording here:
"A new implant can act as a middle ear replacement"

The wording is as if there is only one "middle ear" and as if it is equivalent to other ears.

Parent

RE: wait, what?

By geddarkstorm on 1/17/2013 12:58:13 PM , Rating: 2

One also does not say "inner ears", and "inner ear" is typically referred to as singular, even though you have two. So, if someone says they have an "inner ear infection", does that mean they have an ear inside their body that's been infected?

The wording is completely fine for individuals versed in anatomy. It's not confusing or strange what so ever, and is the correct medical use.

Parent