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A person wearing a cochlear Osia implant

Bone Conduction Hearing Solutions

Hope beyond hearing aids

 

Implantable hearing solutions for adults and children with conductive, mixed, or single-sided hearing loss.

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Benefits of bone conduction hearing solutions

Benefits of bone conduction hearing solutions

If you struggle to hear due to conditions like chronic ear infections, discharging ears, or single-sided deafness, a bone conduction hearing solution may help treat your hearing loss.

With a bone conduction hearing device, you may be able to:

  • Hear better, even in noisy situations.1,4,8
  • Experience natural sound by bypassing the damaged part of the ear.2-4
  • Hear sounds as if they’re coming from both sides.1,7
  • Stay more connected and aware of the sounds around you.6-8

Benefits of bone conduction hearing solutions

If you struggle to hear due to conditions like chronic ear infections, discharging ears, or single-sided deafness, a bone conduction hearing solution may help treat your hearing loss.

With a bone conduction hearing device, you may be able to:

  • Hear better, even in noisy situations.1,4,8
  • Experience natural sound by bypassing the damaged part of the ear.2-4
  • Hear sounds as if they’re coming from both sides.1,7
  • Stay more connected and aware of the sounds around you.6-8

Could a bone conduction solution help you?

Could a bone conduction solution help you?

Consider the questions below. If you answer “yes” to any of them, a bone conduction solution may be worth exploring:

  • Do you hear well in only one ear?
  • Do conventional hearing aids cause sore or irritated ears?
  • Do you struggle to achieve enough loudness with hearing aids?
  • Do you experience ongoing or recurrent ear infections?
  • Do you have ears that frequently discharge?
  • Do you have ears or ear canals that are malformed?
A woman wearing a Cochlear bone conduction implant

Could a bone conduction solution help you?

Consider the questions below. If you answer “yes” to any of them, a bone conduction solution may be worth exploring:

  • Do you hear well in only one ear?
  • Do conventional hearing aids cause sore or irritated ears?
  • Do you struggle to achieve enough loudness with hearing aids?
  • Do you experience ongoing or recurrent ear infections?
  • Do you have ears that frequently discharge?
  • Do you have ears or ear canals that are malformed?

How bone conduction hearing works

How bone conduction hearing works

Most people hear through sound waves travelling down the ear canal, but sound can also move through bone. When these vibrations reach the inner ear, they’re converted into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.

Bone conduction hearing devices use a sound processor and implant to send gentle vibrations through the bone to the inner ear — bypassing any blockages in the outer or middle ear so sound is clear and natural.9

Click to watch how bone conduction solutions work.

How bone conduction hearing works

Most people hear through sound waves travelling down the ear canal, but sound can also move through bone. When these vibrations reach the inner ear, they’re converted into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.

Bone conduction hearing devices use a sound processor and implant to send gentle vibrations through the bone to the inner ear — bypassing any blockages in the outer or middle ear so sound is clear and natural.9

Click to watch how bone conduction solutions work.

Cochlear bone conduction hearing solutions

Cochlear bone conduction hearing solutions

As global leader in implantable hearing solutions, backed by over 40 years of expertise and trusted by more than 750,000 people worldwide, Cochlear offers bone conduction solutions with proven outcomes.

Osia® System

The Osia® System combines power with advanced, proprietary technologies designed to deliver clarity - particularly in high-frequency environments that are critical for understanding speech.1,2,4,10-15

If an adult or child have conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD), the Osia system may be a hearing solution for them.1-4,16,17

Read more about the Osia® 2 Sound Processor

Baha® System

A proven, easy-to-use and effective solution designed to improve your hearing.18,19 The Baha system uses direct bone conduction technology to provide clear, natural sound for everyday hearing needs.4,5,7,8

Read more about our latest Baha® 7 Sound Processor




Cochlear Osia and Baha Systems

Cochlear bone conduction hearing solutions

As global leader in implantable hearing solutions, backed by over 40 years of expertise and trusted by more than 750,000 people worldwide, Cochlear offers bone conduction solutions with proven outcomes.

Osia® System

The Osia® System combines power with advanced, proprietary technologies designed to deliver clarity - particularly in high-frequency environments that are critical for understanding speech.1,2,4,10-15

If an adult or child have conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD), the Osia system may be a hearing solution for them.1-4,16,17

Read more about the Osia® 2 Sound Processor

Baha® System

A proven, easy-to-use and effective solution designed to improve your hearing.18,19 The Baha system uses direct bone conduction technology to provide clear, natural sound for everyday hearing needs.4,5,7,8

Read more about our latest Baha® 7 Sound Processor




5 Steps to getting a bone conduction hearing implant
Step 1: Meet your HCP
Talk to your hearing care professional or ENT. They will assess your hearing and confirm if a bone conduction hearing implant may help. If suitable, they’ll refer you to a specialist clinic.
Step 2: Assessment
Meet with a hearing care professional for a candidacy assessment which can include 1) taking a detailed medical history and 2) further hearing tests.
Step 3: Trial the device
Try hearing through a non-surgical bone conduction device to experience what hearing through bone conduction may sound like, before deciding on surgery.
Step 4: Surgery
Bone conduction implant surgery is a routine procedure and can be performed under local or general anesthetic. Your ENT surgeon will discuss these options with you.
Step 5: Fitting and activation
A few weeks after your surgery, your hearing care professional will adjust and program your hearing device to your specific needs.

“Since the surgery we’ve noticed her light shine brighter. She’s just having her best life.”

- Sophie’s mum, Cochlear™ Osia® System recipient

A child wearing a Cochlear Osia System

“Since the surgery we’ve noticed her light shine brighter. She’s just having her best life.”

- Sophie’s mum, Cochlear™ Osia® System recipient

Got questions? Find more information in this candidate guide

Got questions? Find more information in this candidate guide

For clear, helpful information about bone conduction hearing implants, download this PDF guide.

Cochlear bone conduction candidate guide

Got questions? Find more information in this candidate guide

For clear, helpful information about bone conduction hearing implants, download this PDF guide.

Cochlear bone conduction events

Free Cochlear bone conduction information sessions

If you or a loved one would like to learn more about hearing with Cochlear bone conduction devices, join one of our free information sessions.

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Cochlear Engagement Team

Ready to get started? Get in touch with the Cochlear Engagement Team

We offer free information and support service for people in Australia and New Zealand. Our team is here to help you learn about bone conduction hearing solutions and guide you through each step of your journey.

Get in Touch



Frequently asked questions

We hope the following contains some of the answers you need to take the next step.
A device that sends sound vibrations through bone directly to your inner ear, bypassing the damaged part of your hearing pathway.
A bone conduction implant (BCI) bypasses the outer and middle ear by sending vibrations through the skull to the inner ear, while a cochlear implant (CI) bypasses the inner ear's damaged parts and directly stimulates the hearing nerve.
Adults and children with conductive or mixed hearing loss, chronic ear infections, or single-sided deafness may benefit. Children aged five and older can be candidates if they have conductive or mixed hearing loss.1,2,3,4
Hearing aids amplify sound through the ear canal, while bone conduction sends sound through bone for a clearer, more natural result.2,3,4,7,8
Yes, it is generally safe and a routine procedure that usually takes under an hour and has a quick recovery.5,6,8
Costs vary, but many people receive full or partial funding through private health insurance or Medicare.*

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Disclaimer

Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always follow the directions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

For a full list of Cochlear's trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.

Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.

In Australia, Baha® bone conduction implant systems are intended for the treatment of moderate to profound hearing loss.

In Australia, the Cochlear™ Osia® System is indicated for patients with conductive, mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD) aged 5 years and above with up to 55 decibels sensorineural hearing loss. Patients should have sufficient bone quality and quantity to support successful implant placement. Surgery is required to use this product. Any surgical procedure carries risk.

For Cochlear™ Nucleus®, Osia® and Baha® systems: This product is not available for purchase by the general public. For information on funding and reimbursement please contact your health care professional. Any testimonial featured on this website is intended for an Australian audience only.

* This webpage contains general information and should not be used in place of your own enquires about funding options available to you. Cochlear accepts no liability for use or reliance placed on this information. Conditions and eligibility criteria apply, we recommend you contact your health insurer and/or healthcare professional to confirm your coverage.
 
References
  1. Kim G et al. Efficacy of Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids in Single-Sided Deafness: A Systematic Review. Otol Neurotol. 2017;38(4):473-83.
  2. Wazen JJ et al. Expanding the indications for the bone anchored hearing system (BAHS) in patients with single sided deafness. American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery. 2021;42(3):102864.
  3. Ellsperman SE et al. Rehabilitation for unilateral deafness – Narrative review comparing a novel bone conduction solution with existing options. American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery. 2021;42(6):103060.
  4. Flynn MC, Sadeghi A, Halvarsson G. Baha solutions for patients with severe mixed hearing loss. Cochlear Implants Int 2009;10 Suppl 1:43-7.
  5. Hol MK, Snik AF, Mylanus EA, Cremers CW. Long-term results of bone anchored hearing aid recipients who had previously used air-conduction hearing aids. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2005 Apr;131(4):321-5.
  6. Watson GJ, Silva S, Lawless T, Harling JL, Sheehan PZ. Bone anchored hearing aids: a preliminary assessment of the impact on outpatients and cost when rehabilitating hearing in chronic suppurative otitis media. Clin Otolaryngol 2008;33:338–342. 5.
  7. Dutt, S. N., McDermott, A., Jelbert, A., Reid, A. P., & Proops, D. W. (2002). The Glasgow benefit inventory in the evaluation of patient satisfaction with the bone-anchored hearing aid: quality of life issues. JOURNAL OF LARYNGOLOGY AND OTOLOGY, (SUPP/28). 7.
  8. Kunst, S. J. W., Hol, M. K. S., Mylanus, E. A. M., Leijendeckers, J. M., Snik, A. F. M., & Cremers, C. W. R. J. (2008). Subjective benefit after BAHA system application in patients with congenital unilateral conductive hearing impairment. Otology and Neurotology, 29(3), 353–358. 23.
  9. Hoffman J. Subjective evaluation of clear rich and natural sound. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1788013.
  10. Mylanus EA, Hua H, Wigren S, Arndt S, Skarzynski PH, Telian SA, Briggs RJ. Multicenter clinical investigation of a new active osseointegrated steady-state implant system. Otology & Neurotology. 2020 Oct;41(9):1249.
  11. Florentine MM, Virbalas J, Chan DK. Early surgical and audiologic outcomes of active, transcutaneous, osseointegrated bone-conduction hearing device (Osia 2® system) placement. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2022 May 1;156:111114.
  12. Gordon KA, Papsin BC, Feness M, Negandhi J, Cushing SL. First Generation Osseointegrated Steady State Implant Benefits in Children With Hearing Loss. Otology & Neurotology. 2022 Mar;43(3):337.
  13. Lau K, Scotta G, Wright K, Proctor V, Greenwood L, Dawoud M, Ray J. First United Kingdom experience of the novel Osia active transcutaneous piezoelectric bone conduction implant. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 2020 Nov;277(11):2995-3002.
  14. Marszał J, Gibasiewicz R, Błaszczyk M, Gawłowska M, Gawęcki W. Piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant Osia®-audiological and quality of life benefits. Otolaryngologia Polska= The Polish Otolaryngology. 2021 Jun 1;75(6):11-22.
  15. Pla-Gil I, Redó MA, Pérez-Carbonell T, Martínez-Beneyto P, Alborch MO, Ventura AM, Monteagudo EL, Ribas IP, Algarra JM. Clinical performance assessment of a new active osseointegrated implant system in mixed hearing loss: results from a prospective clinical investigation. Otology & Neurotology. 2021 Aug;42(7):e905.
  16. Willenborg K et al. A New Active Osseointegrated Implant System in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness. Audiol Neurotol. 2022;27(1):83-92.
  17. Rauch A et al. Long-term data of the new transcutaneous partially implantable bone conduction hearing system Osia®. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022;279(9):4279-4288.
  18. Van Hoof M, Wigren S, Ivarsson Blechert J, et al. A Multinational Cost-Consequence Analysis of a Bone Conduction Hearing Implant System-A Randomized Trial of a Conventional vs. a Less Invasive Treatment With New Abutment Technology. Front Neurol. 2020;11:106.
  19. Van Hoof M, Wigren S, Blechert JI, et al. A multicentre randomized controlled trial of soft tissue preservation using a hydroxyapatite-coated abutment in percutaneous bone conduction hearing implant surgery – 1-year clinical outcomes: Presenting Author: Marc van Hoof. J Laryngol Otol. Cambridge University Press; 2016;130(S3):S81–S82.