Brant Audiology has audiologists providing auditory implants in Wyoming. Our clinics are located in Casper, Cheyenne, Wheatland, and Torrington.

Auditory implants help people who have severe hearing loss or who can’t hear well even with hearing aids. These implants are devices that are put inside or on the head to help you hear better. They work by sending sound signals directly to your brain, bypassing the parts of your ear that don’t work well.

Types of Auditory Implants

There are a few different types of auditory implants:

Cochlear Implants

These are for people who have severe hearing loss in both ears and do not benefit from hearing aids. A cochlear implant has two parts: one that sits behind your ear and one that is placed under the skin. It works by turning sounds into signals and sending them directly to the hearing nerve.

Osseointegrated Implants (BAHA)

(Also know as Bone Anchored Hearing Aids or BAHA)

These are good for people who have problems with the outer or middle ear, like ear infections or malformations. A small device is placed in the bone behind your ear, which helps send sound directly to your inner ear.

Middle Ear Implants

Middle Ear Implants are made up of two parts: an internal component that’s surgically implanted in the middle ear, and an external processor that picks up sound from the environment.

These are used when hearing aids don’t help or when they cause problems. This type of implant is put in the middle ear and works by making the bones in your ear vibrate, which helps you hear sounds more clearly.

Who Needs Auditory Implants?

Auditory implants are usually for people who have tried hearing aids but still struggle to hear. They can help children and adults. Doctors and hearing specialists, called audiologists, will do tests to see if an implant is a good choice for you. They will check how well you hear sounds and understand speech.

Who Can Benefit From a BAHA?

Patients with chronic middle ear conditions, outer ear problems, or congenital defects of the ear who can’t wear hearing aids may be candidates for a BAHA as long as one ear has a cochlea that can hear at a moderate hearing level or better. A second category of candidates is patients with “single-sided deafness”. This includes patients who have lost all or most hearing in one ear, in which conventional hearing aid is not helpful but have good hearing in the other.

The BAHA system, which is based on bone conduction, utilizes a titanium implant, which is placed in the skull bone behind the non-functioning ear. An abutment connects the sound processor with the implant in the bone. This creates direct (percutaneous) bone conduction. In contrast, traditional bone conductors connect indirectly to the bone through unbroken skin (transcutaneous) and work by exerting pressure against the skull. Direct bone conduction, provided by BAHA, may give improved access to sound when compared to traditional bone conductors because the sound is not weakened when passing through the skin, muscle, and fat covering the skull.

The Process of Getting an Auditory Implant

Evaluation

First, you will visit an audiologist who will check your hearing. They might perform a few hearing tests to understand how well your ears work and if an implant is right for you.

Surgery

If an implant is a good fit, a surgeon will put the implant in. Surgery usually takes a few hours, and most people can go home the same day.

Activation

A few weeks after surgery, the audiologist will turn on the implant and adjust it to fit your needs. This might take a few visits to make sure it’s working just right for you.

Learning to Hear with Your Implant

It can take time to get used to hearing with an implant. You might need to work with an audiologist or a therapist to practice listening and understanding sounds.

Benefits of Auditory Implants

Better Hearing in Noisy Places: Implants can help you hear better even when there’s a lot of background noise.
Understanding Speech: Many people find it easier to understand what others are saying with an implant.
Improved Quality of Life: Being able to hear better can make it easier to communicate with friends and family and enjoy everyday activities.

Is an Auditory Implant Right for You?

Choosing an auditory implant is a big decision. It’s important to talk with an audiologist and learn about your options. Audiologists at Brant Audiology and Tinnitus will guide you through each step and help you decide what’s best for your hearing needs.