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Bone Conduction Implants

We help families whose children are interested in or have received a bone conduction implant, and follow these children until they reach age 19.
About
A bone conduction implant may be an option if your child:

  • Has permanent conductive or mixed hearing loss in one or both ears
  • Has atresia in one or both ears
  • Cannot wear a traditional hearing aid 
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Criteria

The following are considered in determining a child’s candidacy for bone conduction implant surgery 

  • Age range of 5-19 years of age. The earliest a child can receive a bone conduction implant is 5 years of age.
  • Permanent conductive or mixed hearing loss in one or both ears
  • Bone conduction hearing no worse than a moderate degree with symmetrical bone conduction hearing between ears
  • No medical contra indications as determined by ENT
  • Family and/or child with good motivation and realistic expectations about the bone conduction implant
  • Family prepared and committed to the time and travel costs associated with follow up and continuing costs of sound processor supplies and upgrades
  • Willingness to trial a non-implantable bone conduction device help determine candidacy
Bone Conduction Implant Audiologist and Clinical Coordinator

Jordan Geddes

Surgeons

Dr. Mark Felton
Dr. Neil Chadha








Prepare
Once the Bone Conduction Implant program has received a referral for your child, who is at least 5 years old, the team coordinator will contact you and send you an information package. If you are interested, a family meeting with the team coordinator will be arranged.

At the family meeting, which may be held over Zoom, you will be provided with information about bone conduction implants. The coordinator will also explain the assessment process and answer any questions you may have. We encourage families to include their child in this information session. 

Following this, if you wish to proceed, pre-operative testing appointments will be arranged at your local community audiology clinic and/or BC Children’s hospital. You will be required to trial a non implantable bone conduction device prior to any pre-operative testing. This will be arranged in conjunction with your community audiology clinic.

The candidacy assessment includes:

  • Audiology review to measure the child’s hearing levels, and evaluate the benefit of the non-implantable bone conduction hearing device.
  • Medical review to ensure that the child does not have any medical conditions that might prevent the use of an implant.
  • Questionnaires completed by the child, parents, and educator to assess benefit with the non-implantable device.
  • A meeting with another family whose child has a bone conduction implant can be arranged
  • Please bring your equipment to all appointments
Once the candidacy evaluation has occurred, and your family & child have decided to proceed with a bone conduction implant, your child will be put on the surgical list. 

Surgery

The surgery is done in the operating room at BC Children’s Hospital under general anesthetic. Dr. Felton is the pediatric bone conduction implant surgeon.

An incision (cut) is made behind your child’s ear.  This allows for the surgeon to insert the implant. A small patch of hair may need to be shaved to make the cut.

The surgery usually takes about 1-2 hours. Children are typically discharged from the hospital after the surgery.  The family will need to stay in the lower mainland for the night following the surgery. Air travel is typically safe one day after the surgery.

No active sports are recommended for 4 weeks after surgery. 

Do not wash your child’s hair for 7 days following the surgery. After that, take care when cleaning or brushing hair near the incision until it has fully healed. 

If you have any questions or concerns following the surgery or healing process, please contact the ENT clinic nurse.


Follow-up
Following the surgery you will be scheduled for the following appointments:

  • Activation of the Implant – takes place approximately 4-6 weeks after surgery at BCCH Hearing Implant Services Department.  We will activate the implant and show you and your child how to use the external processor and accessories.  It is helpful to download and set up any manufacturer apps prior to this appointment. 
  • Post-Activation follow up 1 Appointment – approximately 6 weeks following the activation appointment at BCCH Hearing Implant Services.   We will check the implant site and magnet strength, make any requested adjustments to the programming and complete some listening tasks in the sound booth. We will also discuss remote microphone listening systems for school, and fill out requisite paperwork.
  • Post-Activation follow up 2 Appointment – approximately 6 months following post-activation follow up 1 at BCCH Hearing Implant Services or at your community audiology clinic (if no adjustments to the device are required).  We will email you questionnaires prior to this appointment to return to hearing implant services. We will also complete some listening tasks in the sound booth
  • Annual routine follow-up At BCCH Hearing Implant Services. Includes device and magnet site check, any changes to programming, and listening tasks in the sound booth.

Additional information

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SOURCE: Bone Conduction Implants ( )
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