Implantable hearing devices

Implantable hearing devices are a treatment for people with a range of hearing losses. The devices are implanted during surgery by a neurotologist and programmed by an audiologist.

For more than 30 years, Penn Medicine has been a first choice for people seeking treatment for hearing loss. Our audiology, hearing, and balance experts provide hearing device evaluations and make recommendations based on your needs and lifestyle. We work with industry-leading implantable device manufacturers to give you access to the latest, most effective solutions to improve your ability to hear and live life to the fullest.

While a hearing aid sends amplified sound through the typical hearing pathway, an implanted hearing device works to bypass the damaged parts of the ear for individuals who may not benefit from a hearing aid. Each type of hearing implant works in a different way. Types of implants include:

• Cochlear implant: This type of implant turns sound waves into electrical impulses and sends them through a structure in your ear called the cochlea to be transmitted to the auditory nerve. A cochlear implant can help people with sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by damage to sensory cells in the cochlea, a tiny organ in the inner ear.
• Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA): Also known as a bone conduction implant, BAHA sends sound waves through your skull directly to your inner ear, bypassing the middle ear. This implant can help people with conductive or mixed hearing loss, which is caused by damage to the external or middle ear.
• Auditory brain stem implant (ABI): An ABI bypasses your inner ear and auditory nerve to stimulate the lower part of your brain called the brainstem. An ABI is used in people with a severely damaged or missing cochlea or auditory nerve, usually due to tumors or a condition at birth.

While a hearing aid sends amplified sound through the typical hearing pathway, an implanted hearing device works to bypass the damaged parts of the ear for individuals who may not benefit from a hearing aid. Each type of hearing implant works in a different way. Types of implants include:

• Cochlear implant: This type of implant turns sound waves into electrical impulses and sends them through a structure in your ear called the cochlea to be transmitted to the auditory nerve. A cochlear implant can help people with sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by damage to sensory cells in the cochlea, a tiny organ in the inner ear.
• Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA): Also known as a bone conduction implant, BAHA sends sound waves through your skull directly to your inner ear, bypassing the middle ear. This implant can help people with conductive or mixed hearing loss, which is caused by damage to the external or middle ear.
• Auditory brain stem implant (ABI): An ABI bypasses your inner ear and auditory nerve to stimulate the lower part of your brain called the brainstem. An ABI is used in people with a severely damaged or missing cochlea or auditory nerve, usually due to tumors or a condition at birth.

Implantable devices may be recommended to a range of people with hearing loss. The results of your hearing evaluation will allow your audiologist and doctor to make the most appropriate recommendation for you. Surgical hearing implants may be right for you if you have sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, or a mix of the two. Your doctor may recommend trying a hearing aid before considering a surgical implant.

Before you receive a hearing implant, you’ll have a physical and auditory evaluation. If you’re a candidate for an implantable device, an audiologist and surgeon will walk you through what you can expect during and after the surgery. The exact procedure will vary depending on what type of implant you’re getting. Generally, surgery involves implanting an internal device in your bone, inside your ear, or under your skin. You’ll also wear an external device around your ear or on your scalp.

It can take several weeks to fully recover from surgery. For the first few days, you may have swelling, headaches, and other side effects. Your care team can tell you how to treat side effects and will give you instructions on showering, working, driving, and returning to your daily routine.

You won’t be able to hear right away. Once you’ve healed from surgery, the audiologist will turn on and program your external device. For some individuals, a speech-language pathologist may be recommended to help you adapt to your implant.

As a high-volume hearing implant center, Penn Medicine provides more cochlear implants and bone conduction systems than other centers across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Our audiologists work with specialists in otology and neurotology, speech and language pathology, and other areas to help you achieve your goals for better hearing and communication. We provide compassionate care with the goal of opening your world to all the sounds that matter.