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| Middle ear implants
are surgically implanted devices. The FDA has
approved specific middle ear implants and the FDA is
still reviewing others. The middle ear implant is a
useful hearing instrument and is quite different
from traditional hearing aids. Generally speaking,
hearing aids reproduce sounds and make them louder
than the original sound. When a hearing aid is
placed in the ear canal, the loud sound is perceived
by the hearing impaired ear. Middle ear implants
work by vibrating the middle ear bones, rather than
by producing audible sound. |
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| Therefore, middle
ear implants are less likely to produce feedback,
and they do not occlude, or "plug up" the ear canal.
Additionally, for most people wearing middle ear
implants, their hair tends to cover up the external
device. |
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| In summary, the
reported benefits of middle ear implants are
elimination of the occlusion effect,
elimination/reduction of feedback, reduction in
distortion, improved clarity, as well as some
cosmetic advantages. |
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| Middle ear implants
are an excellent alternative for people with
moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss, after
they have tried traditional hearing aids for a few
months and after they have determined that
traditional hearing aids are not able to provide the
desired benefit. |
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| If you are
considering a middle ear implant, speak with your
audiologist. Your audiologist can direct you to an
otolaryngologist, otologist or neurotologist with
experience and expertise in implanting these
devices. |
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| Not all patients are
surgical candidates, and each candidate does not
receive the same benefit. Nonetheless, middle ear
implants are an option, and are worthy of further
consideration for appropriate patients. Again, the
best source for initial information on this topic is
your audiologist. |
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