Bone Conduction Hearing Aids

Bone conduction hearing aids are generally best used when clients have a conductive hearing loss, where sounds are blocked or restricted through the outer and middle ear. They work by processing to sound and sending the signal directly through the bone to the hearing organ (cochlea), via a receiver attached to the bone behind the ear which is called the mastoid process. A bone conduction hearing aid can be attached to the arms of specially made spectacles or fitted as an Alice band around the head with wires attached to a box or microphone. Bone conduction aids can be fitted in some cases during an operation or medical procedure where a metal plate acting as an anchor for a magnetic hearing aid can be attached. Bone conduction aids are not always practical as they require a firm fixing to the bone in order to provide a clear sound.