Hearing implant users information booklet

Sound waves enter the ear and travel down to the ear drum. The sound waves make the ear drum vibrate, like a drum. This in turn makes three tiny connected bones (the ossicles-malleus, incus, stapes) in the space behind the ear drum vibrate. Beyond these 3 bones is the inner ear or cochlea, which consists of thousands of tiny hair cells like a rolled up piano keyboard. These cells sense the sound vibrations and convert them into nerve signals. The brain makes sense of these signals and this is how we hear.

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Hearing loss is common, it affects 12 million people in the UK.

There are 3 types of hearing loss:

Conductive: Where sound is not passed properly from the ear drum to the inner ear (e.g. due to wax, middle ear congestion).

Sensorineural:Where the cause of the hearing loss is the inner ear e.g. the cochlea or hearing (auditory) nerve.

Mixed: a combination of both conductive and sensorineural.

Conductive hearing loss is often due to the development of disease or injury in the ear canal, ear drum or the space and ossicles behind the ear drum (middle ear). This type of hearing loss often reduces the quality of the sound as well as its loudness, sounds will be quieter than usual and you may notice that people’s speech is muffled or they seem to mumble. You may also have difficulty hearing conversation when you are in a group. These difficulties can lead to frustration and tension for both you and your family and friends.

Either hearing aids or implants can help, hearing implants being considered where traditional hearing aids are not suitable. However, a hearing implant will not cure your hearing loss. It can only amplify the hearing you naturally still have. It will not give you back the hearing you have lost. In most cases, surgery is an option to attempt to cure your hearing loss, which you would have to discuss with the ENT surgeon.

A hearing implant is not a ‘quick-fix’ solution,  it takes time, practice and perseverance. The more you wear your hearing implant the more benefit you will get. Wear it even in situations where you do not think you need to, it is easier to start to practice in quiet environments. Your own voice may sound peculiar initially. You will soon become accustomed to it.

Remember that your brain has become used to not hearing many sounds and will take time to adjust to any new situations. It is normal to hear sounds you have forgotten. These sounds have always been there and with time you will re-learn to filter them out again.

Hearing implants can be percutaneous (implant protruding through the skin) or transcutaneous (intact skin as implant is fully implanted underneath the skin).

Percutaneous implant

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Transcutaneous implant

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Cleaning: You should clean all external parts of your implant. The sound processor should be cleaned with a damp cloth or antibacterial wipe when you take it off at night. Getting the sound processor wet will permanently damage it. If you have an abutment (percutaneous implant), make sure to clean around the abutment daily to avoid infections (use a soft brush or simply rub the area with soap and water).

Storing: When not in use and at night, open the battery drawer and leave the sound processor in a dry place to air out. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

Percutaneous implant

Connection

To safely and comfortably connect the sound processor, tilt it slightly and carefully push it onto the abutment. Please note it is important to keep hair out of the way when the sound processor is connected to the abutment.

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Disconnection

The sound processor is safely and comfortably disconnected by carefully tilting it away from the abutment.

Ensure the sound processor is placed in the correct position: it should be positioned vertically with the battery drawer at the bottom and microphones in the horizontal plane.

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Transcutaneous implant

Simply hold the sound processor over the implant area and the magnetic attraction will pull it into place over the implant. Ensure the sound processor is placed in the correct position: it should be positioned vertically with the battery drawer at the bottom and microphones in the horizontal plane.

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If your device is faulty, you can hand it in to the Audiology Department. The device will then be sent to the manufacturer for repair and you will be made aware when it is ready to be collected.

Alternatively, you can post it to the Audiology department by special delivery to the face value of £2500. Include a letter with a description of the fault and your name, date of birth and address. Your device will then be repaired and returned to you by post as quickly as possible, this can take up to 2 weeks or more as the device will need to be sent to the manufacturer to be repaired.

In some situations, we may be able to issue a loan device whilst yours is sent off to be repaired. If this is the case, you will be asked to return the loan device once yours is repaired.

All hearing devices remain NHS property and must be returned if not wanted or needed. The department may charge for lost or neglected NHS hearing devices in accordance with our written policy which you will be provided with.

You can get new batteries from a clinic in your area. We also supply batteries by post, just send your battery card to us.

Brighton

Age Concern (near Seven Dials) 29-31 Prestonville Road, BN1 3TJ Telephone: 01273 720603

County Oak Medical Centre Carden Hill, BN1 8DD Telephone: 01273 545922

Moulsecoombe Clinic Hodshrove Lane, BN2 4SE Telephone: 01273 260010

Sussex House Abbey Road, Brighton, BN2 1ES.

Lewes

Orchard House Lewes Victoria Hospital Neville Road, BN7 1PE Telephone: 01273 402508

Hove

Charter Medical Centre 88 Davigdor Road, BN3 1RF Telephone: 01273 738070

Knoll House, Ingram Crescent West Portland Road, BN3 5NX Telephone: 01273 267588

Hove Poly Clinic, Nevill Avenue, BN3 7HY, Telephone: 01273 696011

Portslade

Mile Oak Medical Centre Chalky Road, BN41 2WF Telephone: 01273 426200

Burgess Hill

Burgess Hill Clinic The Brow, RH15 9BS Telephone: 01444 248901

Hassocks

Hassocks Health Centre Windmill Avenue, BN6 8LY Telephone: 01273 845771

Haywards Heath

Outpatients Department Princess Royal Hospital Lewes Road, RH16 4EX

Haywards Heath Health Centre Heath Road, RH16 3BB Telephone: 01444 414100 

Newhaven

Quayside Medical Practice Chapel Street, BN9 9PW Telephone: 01273 615000

Polyclinic Church Hill, BN9 9HH Telephone: 01273 511800

Peacehaven

Children & Family Centre Meridian Way, BN10 8BN Telephone: 01273 612417