Middle ear implant.The VIBRANT Soundbridge[R] is the first implantable middle ear hearing device approved by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss Sensorineural hearing loss Hearing loss caused by damage to the nerves or parts of the inner ear governing the sense of hearing. Mentioned in: Tinnitus sensorineural hearing loss . Now available in the United States from M ED-EL Corporation, this device is for adults who have moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and desire an alternative to an acoustic hearing aid. The VIBRANT Soundbridge consists of two major components: the implanted component, called the Vibrating Ossicular os·si·cle n. A small bone, especially one of the three bones of the middle ear. [Latin ossiculum, diminutive of os, bone; see ost- in Indo-European roots. Prosthesis prosthesis (prŏs`thĭsĭs): see artificial limb. prosthesis Artificial substitute for a missing part of the body, usually an arm or leg. [TM], and the externally worn receiver, called the Audio Processor[TM]. Unlike a hearing aid, the Soundbridge is a direct-drive prosthesis, which mechanically vibrates the bones in the middle ear without surgically altering middle ear structures. Circle 151 on Reader Service Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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