Hearing Implants

Making the impossible happen.

For patients that don’t benefit or simply can’t use traditional hearing aids, bone conduction implants and processers are one of the newest hearing aid technology solutions. Directly communicating to the inner ear, bone conduction implants are ideal for people with conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness.

Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor in Various Colours

Hearing Implant Manufacturers

Hearing implant manufacturers are forever increasing their product portfolio to meet the needs of those affected by hearing loss.

One significant contribution has been an implantable hearing technology, both with cochlear implants, otherwise known as the “Bionic Ear”, and bone conduction implants.

Helix Hearing has partnered with the Cochlear Implant Clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital to bring cochlear implant services to our patients to add to their established bone conduction service offering. This has brought the gift of hearing closer to many of our regional/Gippsland patients who previously could not manage the time and distance required to get to Melbourne.

Who are Cochlear Implants for

Cochlear implants may be suitable for those no longer receiving benefit from traditional hearing aids as their hearing loss has deteriorated.

Whilst this surgical solution cannot be trialled, our highly trained audiologists can perform assessments to determine whether you are likely to benefit more from a cochlear implant than your hearing aids, based on research and statistics.

Who are Bone Conduction Implants for?

This is ideal for those with a conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness, that otherwise don’t benefit from, or cannot use, traditional hearing aids.

Patients with recurrent ear infections and/or discharge from the ear, history of middle ear surgery and severe skin issues in the ear canal can make perfect candidates. This technology can be trialled prior to surgery to ensure that you get the result that you are seeking.

How Do They Work?

Whilst a traditional hearing aid delivers sound through the outer, middle and inner ear where there can be damage at all or some of these pathways.

A cochlear implant stimulates the hearing nerve directly to mimic the function of a healthy inner ear (cochlea). A bone conduction hearing implant uses the beauty of bone conduction to send a clear, crisp sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear.

What’s Involved?

There are two parts to any hearing implant system: the surgical implant placed by an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) surgeon in an operating theatre and the sound processor fitted and fine-tuned by an audiologist.

There are several manufacturers of hearing implant technology and Helix Hearing has access to all options. Like traditional hearing aid manufacturers, they each have their points of difference and our recommendation to each patient will depend on our patients’ needs and, of course, their surgical candidacy.

Can I Get Funding?

There are many different funding options for these systems.

This includes complete cover under most private hearing insurers, sometimes even with basic cover. For more information, and to consult an audiologist whether this is an option for you, please call your nearest clinic to make an appointment. If appropriate, your audiologist can arrange the appropriate assessments or trial so you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with surgery.