Bone Conduction Hearing Devices

Temporary solutions

Passive devices do not have to be used with a surgical implant. If a patient does not want surgery, or is not medically suitable for an implant, or is trialling a BCHD prior to deciding on surgery they can be held on the skin with different methods.

Softband

A softband is a soft stretchy band which will hold the BCHD in place behind the ear. It is fully adjustable therefore can be fitted to just about any size of head to fit comfortably. BCHDs from the Baha 5 and Ponto ranges can be worn on a softband. They come in a range of different colours to either blend with your hair or to wear your favourite colour.

The softband can be worn from a young age to enable children to benefit from the amplification of a bone-conduction hearing device without having to have surgery. (Images courtesy of Oticon Medical).

Headband

A headband is a hard, fixed size band that is worn over the head. They come in one size. They are very useful for trialling a BCHD for a few weeks, but not always comfortable for long term wear, although some patients do seem to find them their mode of preference.

This man has a silver bone-conduction hearing device behind his ear worn on a headband over the top of the head. (Image courtesy of Oticon Medical).

Soundarc

A sounder is available for the Cochlear Baha 5 range. This fits around the back of the head with two rubber arms that come over the top of the ears. It is made of metal that can be gently bent to provide a comfortable fit, and comes in a range of sizes.

This young boy is wearing a brown bone-conduction hearing device on a softband that fits around the back of the head with black rubber tips that extend over the top of the ears. (Image courtesy of Cochlear).

Adhear

The Adhear from Med-El is worn on an adhesive patch. The patch is designed to be worn on the skin behind the ear, and to stay in place for up to 5 days. It is suitable to be worn whilst showering and bathing – without the BCHD attached!

This is only suitable for patients with a mild hearing loss, or for single-sided deafness.

The Adhear is available with either beige or dark brown adhesive pads. The device is produced in either brown, black or grey. It can be accessorised with stickers as seen here with a young boy wearing a brown Adhear with a football sticker behind his ear. (Images courtesy of Med-El).