Bonebridge ear implant

The Bonebridge ear implant sends sounds directly to your inner ear through the bones in your skull through a process known as bone conduction.

With normal hearing, sound waves are picked up by your outer ear and directed to your eardrum, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations travel through your middle ear to your cochlear in your inner ear, where they are transmitted to the brain by your auditory nerve and perceived as sound.

If you have damage to your outer or middle ear, sounds can't reach your inner ear effectively, resulting in hearing loss.

The Bonebridge ear implant, however, bypasses the damaged parts of your ear, making it possible for sounds to reach your auditory nerve and be processed as sound.

Soundwaves in the external auditory processor are picked up by microphones and converted into electrical signals before being transmitted through your skin to the internal implant. These signals are then converted into mechanical vibrations which travel through your skull bones to your inner ear and your brain, where they are processed as sound.

The cost of a Bonebridge ear implant depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

A Bonebridge ear implant can treat conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness.

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach your inner ear due to problems with your outer or middle ear, such as:

• Blockages, such as earwax or foreign objects
• Infections in your middle ear or outer ear
• Ear drum collapse
• A hole in your ear drum, caused by trauma, infection or eustachian tube dysfunction
• Damage to middle ear bones
• Bony lesions in your ear canal
• External ear defects, known as aural atresia

Mixed hearing loss

Mixed hearing loss occurs when conductive hearing loss occurs happens at the same time as sensorineural hearing loss, or hearing loss caused by damage to your inner ear.

Single-sided deafness (unilateral hearing loss)

Single-sided deafness (SSD) is a condition where you can't hear in only one ear, with your other ear having either normal or impaired hearing.

The Bonebridge ear implant has several benefits over other types of hearing implants including:

• Minimally invasive surgery: Bonebridge implant surgery is a safe, minimally invasive procedure with a faster recovery time and a lower risk of complications than other types of ear implant surgery
• The skin remains intact: Nothing protrudes through the skin after surgery reducing the risk of skin complications
• Improved sound quality and the ability to hear higher frequencies when compared to other bone-conduction devices
• More comfortable: The external sound processor is held in place using a magnet, making it more comfortable than wearing a bone conduction headband

Bonebridge ear implants may not be a suitable option for everyone, so if they're not the right choice for you, your consultant may recommend an alternative treatment.

Alternatives to Bonebridge ear implants include:

• Non-surgical bone conduction hearing aids are a non-surgical option worn on a headband or attached to the skin with adhesive, and work by transmitting sound directly to the inner ear through the skull bones
• Auditory brainstem implants (ABI) are surgically implanted implants that can help people with a missing or damaged cochlear or auditory nerve hear
• Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) are surgically implanted devices that use passive bone conduction to generate vibrations that are passed through the skin to the implant and the bone
• Cochlear implants are small, electronic devices that are surgically implanted inside the cochlear and may be used to treat severe, permanent hearing loss

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, a doctor specialising in surgical procedures involving the ears, nose and throat.

Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, general health and medical history, as well as your reasons for wanting to have a Bonebridge ear implant and what you hope to achieve from the treatment.

This first appointment is very important as it's where you'll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. Your consultant will spend time getting to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have.

At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

Pre-operative assessments

Before your Bonebridge surgery, your consultant will organise a series of assessments to ensure the implant is a suitable option for you.

The assessment consists of several parts to diagnose any problems with your ears and evaluate your hearing, physical health and fitness for surgery.

Medical assessment

Your consultant will assess your general health and medical history as well as your fitness for surgery.

Imaging scans

May include an X-ray or CT scan to examine your skull bones, assess your suitability for surgery, determine the most suitable type of implant and help your consultant to plan the procedure.

Audiological assessment

A series of tests to assess your hearing, ear function and speech that may include:

• Hearing tests
• Speech assessments
• Otoscopy, where a device called an otoscope is used to examine your middle ear, ear canal and eardrum
• Tympanometry, where an instrument called a tympanometer is used to assess how well your middle ear functions, including how your eardrum moves and the air pressure in your middle ear

Trial of bone conduction hearing aid

Before you get your Bonebridge ear implant, you may be able to try a bone conduction headband to simulate the effects of the implant and give you an idea of what to expect after the procedure.

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your Bonebridge surgery. Instructions on how to prepare will also be in your appointment letter.

If there's anything you're not sure about, or if you have any questions, please contact the hospital for advice.

Your consultant may tell you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners for a few days before your surgery. This is to minimise the risk of bleeding during and after your procedure.

You won't be able to eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of your surgery.

Before your surgery, you'll need to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the procedure and are aware of what it entails and the possible risks and complications of the operation.

Bonebridge surgery normally takes between one to two hours and is carried out under general anaesthetic, meaning you'll be asleep during the procedure and won't feel any pain.

The hair behind your ear will be shaved before your Bonebridge ear implant surgery.

Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your consultant will make a cut behind your ear, exposing the mastoid bone. A small hole is drilled into the bone to make a space for the implant and the active part of the implant is inserted into the hole and held in place with screws.

The magnetic part of the implant is placed under the soft tissues, before the incision is closed using dissolvable stitches and steristrips are applied over the wound.

Bonebridge ear implant surgery is normally a straightforward procedure with a quick recovery period. How soon you recover from your surgery depends on several factors including your age, general health, the type of procedure you had and your individual recovery process.

You can help facilitate your recovery by being as well informed as possible about your surgery and following your consultant's post-operative instructions carefully. Call the hospital if you have any questions or concerns.

You may have some mild pain or discomfort after your Bonebridge ear implant surgery. Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage this if needed.

Keep your wound dry for ten days after your surgery. If the steristrips fall off, they do not need to be replaced. Any remaining steristrips can be removed after ten days.

Check with your consultant when you can wash your hair after your Bonebridge ear implant surgery. This is normally permitted after around a week.

Your consultant will advise you to avoid heavy lifting for some time after your surgery.

You'll be given an appointment to activate your Bonebridge ear implant around four to six weeks after your surgery. Your surgical wound must be fully healed before your device is activated.

How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?

Bonebridge ear implant surgery is normally performed as an outpatient procedure and does not usually require a hospital stay.

Will I be able to drive home?

You will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital after your surgery or for 24 hours following a general anaesthetic. Please arrange for someone to collect you, or we can organise a taxi if you prefer.

How soon can I go back to work?

How soon you can return to work depends on your individual recovery and the type of job you do. We recommend taking a week off work after Bonebridge ear implant surgery.

When will I be back to normal?

Most people are able to resume most normal day-to-day activities within around a week of Bonebridge ear implant surgery. It's important to take things at your own pace during your recovery and rest when you feel tired.

Bonebridge ear implant surgery is a generally safe procedure, but as with any type of surgery, there is a risk that complications can occur.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of Bonebridge ear implant surgery before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. It’s important that you are fully informed about any possible risks and complications of the surgery before your procedure and can make an informed decision.

Possible complications of any type of surgery include:

• Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic
• Bleeding
• Wound infection
• Damage to nearby structures

Possible complications specific to Bonebridge ear implant surgery include:

• Skin and soft tissue complications such as infection and soft tissue overgrowth
• Reduced or lack of hearing or conduction
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Failure of new bone growth (osseointegration) which connects the implant to the bone, meaning the implant may fall out
• Implant damage or malfunction

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about a Bonebridge ear implant, book your appointment online or call a member of our team today.

1. Bonebridge, ears & hearing UK
2. Bonebridge, University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service
3. Bonebridge Bone Conduction Implant, PubMed
4. Adverse events associated with Bonebridge and Osia bone conduction implant devices, PubMed