Steps to getting a bone conduction implant

Step 1: Talk to your audiologist

Ask about the possibility of a bone conduction solution. Your child's audiologist or ENT will be able to determine if they could benefit from one and refer you to a specialist clinic if necessary.

Step 2: Assessment

An assessment gives you the opportunity to talk to healthcare professionals and ask lots of questions. It will involve a variety of tests over a couple of appointments. For those who qualify, bone conduction implants are provided on the National Health Services of the UK and Ireland, for one or both ears as appropriate.

Watch this video if you are considering a bone conduction solution.

Step 3: Bone conduction trial

Part of the assessment includes trialling the device with a headband. This enables your child to experience hearing through bone conduction before you decide on surgery. Children may stay on this solution for some time.

Step 4: Surgery

Bone conduction implant surgery is routine and usually takes less than 40 minutes under local or general anaesthetic.

Step 5: Fitting

A few weeks after surgery, your child’s audiologist will fit their sound processor(s). The device(s) will be adjusted to meet their hearing needs and they will be ready to embrace a new world of sound.