Step 1 – Assessment
The first step is to schedule an evaluation with your Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose & Throat physician/surgeon and your audiologist. Your physician will decide whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure based on your hearing test results and answer any questions you may have. You will then meet with the audiologist and have the opportunity to try bone-anchored hearing aid amplification using an external test band or rod before proceeding with surgery.
Step 2 – Implantation
The implant procedure is considered minor surgery and usually involves general anesthesia. Your surgeon will prepare a small area behind your ear by removing some of the hair follicles. The exact placement of your implant will vary depending on your physical characteristics and the shape of your skull. A bone-anchored hearing aid titanium implant with an abutment or magnet will be inserted in the center of this region. The area closest to the abutment will remain hair-free.
Step 3 – Dressing
After surgery you will need to wear a dressing that should be changed regularly. When the area is healed, your stitches will be removed. Usually, stitches are removed approximately 10 to 14 days after surgery. The area around the abutment may feel numb – a condition that may or may not be temporary. Once the dressing has been removed, it is important to keep the abutment area clean. You will receive a cleaning brush designed specifically for this purpose. This brush is included in a bone-anchored hearing aid aftercare brochure, which contains easy-to-follow instructions for use and care of your bone-anchored hearing aid system.
Step 4 – Osseointegration
After surgery, the implant will need time to merge or osseointegrate with the bone before you can attach the sound processor. Your surgeon will be able to give you an indication of how long you will have to wait before being able to receive your sound processor. On average, this process will take three to six months.
Step 5 – Fitting
After the implant has had time to merge with the bone, your audiologist will fit your bone-anchored hearing aid sound processor. During the fitting, your audiologist will adjust the sound settings to suit your personal requirements. You will also be able to discuss how the bone-anchored hearing aid works in various situations and how to keep it in proper working condition. Following a few simple guidelines, as outlined under caring for your bone anchored hearing aid, will keep your bone-anchored hearing aid system functioning perfectly.
We want to provide excellent services for our patients; for this reason, we ask our patients not to send their medical questions to us through our social media pages. Patients may send questions via our secure, encrypted server on our patient portal, or they may call our office for assistance.