Bone Conduction & Middle Ear Implants

Bone conduction and middle ear implants are advanced hearing solutions for people with conductive or mixed hearing loss, single-sided deafness, or those who can’t use traditional hearing aids or haven’t had enough benefit from them.

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At a glance

  • Consultation required
  • Paediatric Patients Aged 3+ Seen
  • Health insurance
  • Self-Pay Available

What are bone conduction and middle ear implants?

Bone conduction and middle ear implants are hearing devices designed for people with conductive or mixed hearing loss, or for single-sided deafness. They’re also helpful for those who can’t wear conventional hearing aids due to chronic infections, skin problems, or narrowed ear canals.

A bone conduction implant sits under the skin behind the ear and works by sending gentle vibrations through the skull bone directly to the inner ear. This bypasses problems in the outer or middle ear and provides a clear sound signal to the hearing nerve. Depending on the system, the sound processor may attach to a small connection point that comes through the skin or connect magnetically through the skin.

Middle ear implants work differently from bone conduction implants. Instead of sending sound through bone, they deliver vibrations directly to structures inside the middle ear, allowing stronger and clearer sound than many traditional hearing aids.

Bone conduction and middle ear implants may be recommended if you have:

  • conductive or mixed hearing loss

  • single-sided deafness

  • chronic ear infections that make hearing-aid use difficult

  • ear canal conditions where hearing aids won’t fit comfortably

  • poor benefit from conventional hearing aids

Hearing implant systems have historically been difficult to access privately because they require a highly specialised surgical and audiological team. At Welbeck, we’re one of the few centres in the UK offering the full range of modern bone conduction and middle ear implants. Our ENT surgeons and implant audiologists work closely to recommend the most suitable and effective option based on your hearing loss, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Your assessment, surgery, and follow-up take place in our state-of-the-art ENT centre, where advanced diagnostics and expert care support the best possible hearing outcomes.

Bone conduction and middle ear implants at Welbeck

Oticon Ponto

The Oticon Ponto is a bone conduction implant that uses advanced sound processing to reduce feedback and provide clear, balanced hearing from all directions. It uses a small titanium implant with a connection point that sits through the skin behind the ear, allowing the sound processor to click securely into place. The external processor is the smallest on the market, offering a discreet option with strong sound performance if you’re comfortable with a tiny external connector.

Cochlear OSIA

The Cochlear OSIA system is a powerful bone conduction implant that sits entirely under the skin, using an internal transducer to deliver strong, clear sound. The external off-the-ear processor attaches magnetically, so there’s no connector through the skin and nothing fixed permanently on the surface. It’s slim, comfortable to wear, and easy to place each morning, offering excellent hearing, even in busy or noisy environments.

MED-EL BONEBRIDGE

The MED-EL Bonebridge is a fully implanted bone conduction system that uses an internal vibrating implant to send sound directly to the inner ear. The sound processor attaches magnetically through the skin and sits comfortably behind the ear, often hidden easily by hair. It’s designed to provide natural, high-quality sound and is a good choice if you prefer an unobtrusive, under-the-skin implant.

MED-EL Vibrant Soundbridge

The Vibrant Soundbridge is an active middle ear implant that delivers sound directly to structures inside the ear, creating clearer and stronger hearing than many conventional hearing aids. The internal implant sits entirely beneath the skin, while the external processor attaches magnetically. It’s particularly helpful for people who can’t wear standard hearing aids comfortably or who need a more powerful option for conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Paediatrics

We offer appointments to paediatric patients aged 3+. For full information on our paediatrics service, please visit our main Paediatrics page.

More information

At your initial consultation, your ENT specialist will take a detailed medical history and examine your ears. You’ll have a hearing test, and in some cases, imaging such as a CT scan may be arranged to assess the structure of the middle and inner ear. Your surgeon will explain the different implant options and recommend the most suitable device based on your type of hearing loss.

You’ll then meet our implant audiology team, who’ll let you try a bone conduction processor on a soft headband. This gives you a good idea of the expected benefit before surgery.

Your procedure will take place as a day-case procedure either in our ENT centre under local anaesthetic or in our dedicated Surgery Centre if a general anaesthetic is needed. Your surgeon will talk to you about which is the most suitable option for you.   

The surgical steps depend on the type of implant:

Oticon Ponto

This system is often fitted under local anaesthetic. Your surgeon will numb the area behind your ear with a local anaesthetic, then create a small skin opening to place a titanium implant into the bone. A small connection point will sit through the skin so the processor can be attached after healing. The procedure usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes.

Cochlear OSIA and MED-EL Bonebridge

These implants are fitted under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep for the procedure. Your surgeon will make a small incision behind the ear, prepare a shallow space in the skull bone, and position the implant before closing the skin with dissolvable stitches. Surgery typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes.

MED-EL Vibrant Soundbridge

This implant is also fitted under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make an incision behind the ear to access the middle ear and attach the implant’s floating mass transducer to a suitable middle-ear structure. The incision is then closed with dissolvable stitches. Surgery can take up to 90 minutes. 

After your procedure, you’ll rest in a private recovery area supported by a specialist nursing team until you feel ready to go home the same day. If you’ve had a general anaesthetic, you’ll need someone to collect you, and you shouldn’t drive for 24 hours.

Hearing implant surgery is a safe procedure, and complications are rare. All surgery involves some risks, which your surgeon will explain before surgery. 

Risks may include:

  • bruising or swelling

  • mild pain or discomfort

  • minor bleeding or infection around the incision

  • temporary numbness near the implant site

  • failure of the implant to integrate with the bone

  • need for revision surgery

  • skin irritation around an abutment

  • device movement or failure over time (rare)

Your specialist will give you personalised advice on how to prepare for your procedure. 

 Preparation may include:

  • avoiding certain medications, such as blood thinners

  • keeping the skin behind the ear clean and healthy before surgery

  • arranging time off work, especially if you’re having a general anaesthetic

  • ensuring someone can take you home after the procedure

Please contact our Ear, Nose & Throat centre for pricing information.


At Welbeck, our ENT surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck ENT specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Our locations

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London

1 Welbeck Street
Marylebone
London
W1G 0AR

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Frequently asked questions

No. Although they’re made by the same manufacturer, the Cochlear OSIA is a bone conduction implant, not a cochlear implant. The OSIA system sends vibrations through the skull bone to a healthy inner ear and is used for conductive or mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness.

A cochlear implant is different is designed for people with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and works by sending electrical signals directly to the hearing nerve inside the inner ear. Your specialist will explain which system is right for your type of hearing loss.

In most cases, yes. Over-ear and bone-conduction headphones can often be used without affecting the implant, although on-ear headphones may feel uncomfortable if they press directly on the sound processor. Your audiologist will explain which styles work best with your specific device and how to avoid damaging the processor.

Most modern bone conduction and middle ear implants are designed to be MRI-safe, but the conditions for scanning can vary between devices. Some systems allow MRI at standard strengths, while others may require additional precautions. Your implant card will include detailed MRI information, and your specialist will discuss this with you before surgery so you know exactly what to expect.

Yes, you can swim once the incision has fully healed and your specialist confirms it’s safe. The internal implant is protected under the skin, but the external sound processor must be removed before going into water unless your system has a specific waterproof accessory. You can swim, shower, and wash your hair normally without affecting the implant as long as the processor isn’t worn in water. Your audiologist will guide you on the right precautions for your specific device.

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