Can middle ear bones be replaced?

The middle ear contains three bones: the stapes (say “STAY-peez”), the incus, and the malleus. These bones help with hearing. This surgery is done when the tissue around the stapes hardens and prevents the stapes from working correctly. The doctor replaces the stapes with a man-made stapes, called a prosthesis.

What is fixation of middle ear bones?

Ossicular fixation can also be the result of chronic ear infections. The cycle of continued inflammation causes the ligaments of the ossicles to harden into solid bone. The ossicles are then fused to the walls of the middle ear.

What is an Adhear?

ADHEAR is the world’s first non-surgical bone conduction device that does not exert any pressure on the skin. This makes it very convenient and comfortable, yet powerful. Hearing outcomes in patients with ADHEAR rival those with systems that apply pressure to the skull and even implantable bone conduction solutions.

How long does stapedectomy last?

The procedure takes about 90 minutes, and many patients are able to return home the same day. The surgeon uses a local anesthesia to relax the patient but not put them completely to sleep. Numbing medicine is used in the ear where the surgery itself takes place.

What are the 3 middle ear bones?

The middle ear contains three tiny bones:

• Hammer (malleus) — attached to the eardrum.
• Anvil (incus) — in the middle of the chain of bones.
• Stirrup (stapes) — attached to the membrane-covered opening that connects the middle ear with the inner ear (oval window)

What happens if the ossicles are fused?

Fusion of the ear bones is the joining of the bones of the middle ear. These are the incus, malleus, and stapes bones. Fusion or fixation of the bones leads to hearing loss, because the bones are not moving and vibrating in reaction to sound waves.

How does the Adhear work?

With this type of hearing loss, the outer or middle ear is damaged, which stops sounds from reaching the inner ear. But ADHEAR lets you hear without using your outer and middle ears. Instead, ADHEAR gently vibrates the bone behind your ear to send sound directly to your inner ear, giving you natural sound quality.

Who can use Adhear?

Candidacy for ADHEAR ADHEAR is intended for candidates with unilateral or bilateral conductive hearing loss, including either chronic or temporary conductive hearing loss. Candidates should have normal bone conduction, with bone conduction thresholds of less than or equal to 25 dB HL (500–4,000 Hz).