[tri-med] Hearing Aids

Has anyone had any dealings with the Vibrant Sound Bridge hearing aid? We saw a 
doctor from the cochlear implant centre and she has suggested it as an option 
for Alex's "worse" ear. Its NOT a cochlear implant but rather a hearing aid 
thats implanted directly into the ear. It works by directly vibrating the 
ossicles (bones of the middle ear) and therefore it (theoretically) gives a 
clearer sound and does not amplify tinnitus (which is a major problem for 
Alex). The "receiver" is a small spot on the head like a cochlear implant only 
smaller and the battery also sits on top of that.
(pictures etc at 
http://www.chicagoear.com/implantable_hearing_devices/vibrant_soundbridge.htm )

Its a "new" invention from the US (California) and has recently been granted 
FDA approval. 

Alex would no longer have to actually wear a hearing aid in his right ear and 
he could then have an invisi-ear fitted to his left. It also solves the problem 
of his not having ears that will support a hearing aid, smaller than normal ear 
canals that are convoluted etc. Alex wants it - yesterday, mainly because he 
thinks it would be great to ditch his hearing aid permanently. It sounds good 
but my mummy gut is saying "not so sure" but I am not sure if thats because I 
am just nervous of new technology or what? The next generation of the Vibrant 
Ear is being planned already and with that the battery will also be internal 
(implanted under the skin) and would simply requiring hooking him up to a 
charger to recharge the battery - thats more scary. He already has a pacemaker 
implanted, not sure I want him to have any more batteries inside his "wittle 
body", Surgery to change them when they can't hold a charge anymore, and like 
all batteries as they get old it requires longer charging times, less time 
between charges etc. Nope dont want to go there just yet, but the extenal 
battery ......... I just dont know for sure. Anyone with any advice, wisdom or 
experience?

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.
                                            -- Josh Billings

Keep Looking For Rainbows!!
   _--_|\
 /Karen \
 \ _.--._ /
          v Karen, Mum to Alex (12 years, T-18 Mosaic)
http://members.optushome.com.au/karens

                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

Other related posts: