A safe and simple process

Getting a bone anchored hearing system is a safe, relatively simple process. Once you, your audiologist and your surgeon have established that this is the best solution, you will undergo minor surgery to place a small titanium implant in the bone behind your ear. After about three months, when the implant has fully merged with your bone, you can begin using the sound processor. Your audiologist will then customize it to meet your personal needs and preferences.

Step 1: Evaluation – is this a good solution for you?

The first step is to get an assessment by your audiologist and surgeon to determine whether a bone anchored hearing system is the right solution for you. Before making a decision you will be able to try out the processor on a test band, head band or soft band. This will give you an idea of how beneficial it can be in various everyday situations. You could also get in contact with experienced users to hear their impressions.

Step 2: Minor surgery

The surgical procedure involves getting a small titanium implant carefully placed in the bone behind your ear. This procedure - which is relatively simple - is normally performed under local anesthesia and takes less than an hour. In most cases it takes no more than a day or two away from work or school to recover.

Step 3: Healing & osseointegration

After 10-14 days, when the skin has healed, you will be able to have the dressing and stitches removed. But you won’t be able to attach the sound processor until the implant has fully merged with the bone. This process - called osseointegration – normally takes about three months from the surgical procedure. If the patient is a child, or the bone is thin or soft, this process can take longer. Your surgeon will let you know when the implant is stable enough to receive the sound processor.

Step 4: Fitting the sound processor

The final step in the treatment process is to have your sound processor customized to meet your personal needs and preferences. Your audiologist will fit and program it, and tell you about any accessories that might be beneficial. If a bone anchored hearing system is the right solution for you, once you get a taste of hearing clearly with Ponto, you won’t want to be without it!