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Recent
advances in cutting edge technology now permits our surgeons to offer hearing
improvement for many patients whose hearing could never be helped surgically
only a decade ago. The new hearing technology is comprised of various
types of "Implantable Hearing Devices". Each type of new
implantable hearing device has specific indications for specific types of
hearing impairment. Over the last decade, implantable devices have sorted
out into identifiable categories:
Cochlear
Implants
 | Cochlear implants (Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas,
MedEl) |
| Hybrid cochlear implants (investigational device,
University of Iowa) |
| Semi -implantable devices for severe-to-profound hearing
loss with less than 40% understanding ability |
| External processor and rechargeable power supply (ear level
BTE type or body worn processor) |
| Approved by most third party payers and Medicare |
| Dr. Kraus has been implanting cochlear implants in
Greensboro since 1986. |
| Dr. Teoh was trained by Dr. Richard Miyamoto of Indiana
University and has extensive experience with
pediatric cochlear implants |
Osseointegrated implants = BAHA™ Device
| Titanium fixture with transcutaneous abutment implanted
into the skull behind the ear |
| External, wearable, digital processor attached to the
abutment (Divino, Intenso, Compact, Cordelle processors available)
with power supply
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| Two built-in directional microphones (Divino processor
only) |
| Audiologist adjustable |
| FDA approved for monaural and binaural conductive hearing
losses, congenital atresia, with cochlear preserve 45 dB. or better |
| FDA approved for single-sided deafness |
| Approved by Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North
Carolina, and the North Carolina State Employees' Health Plan |
| BAHA processor standard and extended warranty options are
available (click
BAHA Warranty Information) |
Semi-implantable hearing devices
| Vibrant SoundBridge™ = floating mass transducer attached to
incus |
| SoundTec™ device = magnet attached to stapes |
| External processor with power supply, internal hardware |
| Not currently implanted by our surgeons |
Esteem™
Totally
implantable hearing device (investigational, not approved by the FDA. Approved
in Europe, CE mark, Summer 2006)
| Esteem™ device by Envoy Medical Corporation, St. Paul, MN |
| Totally implanted components (Sound Processor + two
piezoelectric transducers, a Sensor and a Driver) |
| Three to five year battery life prior to exchange (minor OR
procedure similar to a pacemaker battery change) |
| No externally worn components |
| Personal Programmer remote controlled |
| Natural fidelity and clarity |
| Monaural implantation under Phase II FDA clinical protocol
- closed to accrual 10-6-06 |
| New Esteem™ II Phase II Clinical trial for 2008 approved by
the FDA |
| For moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss with 60%
or better discrimination |
| Dr. Kraus is one of five US co-investigators |
| Please note: The Esteem™
Totally Implantable Middle Ear Device is an investigational device. It
has not been approved by the US FDA. The device is under clinical
investigation and has not yet been proven safe or effective. The Esteem™
system has been approved in Europe, July 2006, and
has been granted a CE mark. |
If you would like to learn more about implantable hearing
devices, please contact our office at (336) 273-9932 and ask for our Audiology
Department.
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