Implantable vibrator bone-conduction hearing implant system
Definition
A battery-powered, electromechanical device assembly intended to compensate for impaired hearing by transmitting vibrations, from transduced sound waves, through the skull to the inner ear via an implanted vibrator. It typically consists of an externally worn microphone/sound processor, and a sterile vibrator assembly which is implanted in the skull (e.g., mastoid or temporal bone). The microphone receives sound waves and converts them into electrical signals (radio waves) which are sent to the vibrator wirelessly through the skin (transcutaneously) for the transmission of vibrations to the inner ear via bone conduction. It is used to treat conductive and mixed hearing loss.