Middle ear implants are medical devices designed for those suffering from mild to moderate conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. These implants are recommended for those suffering from closed ear canals, skin problems, ear infections, earmould allergies, etc. Moreover, middle ear implants can be used as an alternative to bone anchored hearing aid. The difference major between other hearing aids and middle ear implants is that they do not require a speaker. They transmit the sound to the middle ear via a microphone placed behind the ear. The microphone then converts the sound into mechanical vibration and is sent to a floating mass transducer placed in the middle ear.
Middle ear implants are one of the many types of reconstructive surgery, which is performed. This type of operation is often needed due to the fact that some people suffer from a problem with the middle or inner ear, which cannot be treated or cured naturally. In most cases, this problem can be caused by damage to the eardrum due to wax build-up. In such a case, it becomes necessary to replace the middle ear, which may require surgery. Middle ear implants have also been frequently used in children who suffer from congenital hearing loss, as this is the best option for restoring normal hearing.
However, there are also other reasons why a person may need middle ear implants apart from the above-mentioned conditions. One of the main reasons for this is the damage caused to the hearing nerve, which is located in the outer ear. In such a situation, middle ear implants are often used to replace the lost hearing nerve. When the middle ear becomes damaged due to frequent infections, it also causes a loss of hearing. Therefore, in order to restore normal hearing, middle ear implants are often the first surgical procedure that is performed. They are broadly classified as electromagnetic and piezoelectric.
Electromagnetic ear implants use an external microphone and send signals through the coil and converts to magnetic field, whereas piezoelectric ear implants use a piezoelectric crystal that generates electric charge that vibrates the ear bones. Hearing implants help patients who are deaf or have other hearing issues. There are four types of hearing implants, such as middle ear implants, auditory brainstem implants, bone-anchored hearing systems, and cochlear implants. Middle ear implants are the more recent hearing implants, which provide an alternative to traditional hearing aids. They may be considered for those who suffer with malformed ears, collapsed or closed ear canals, outer ear infections, skin problems, or earmould allergies.
Hearing impairment or hearing loss is a common health issue worldwide. Middle ear implants are recommended for patients with mixed, sensorineural, or conductive hearing impairment. Conductive hearing loss involves damage to the middle ear, and can be treated through the use of implant, use of medication, or surgical intervention. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the structures in inner ear or auditory nerve, whereas mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural.
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