Maxum
The Ohio Hearing Institute is proud to offer a cutting-edge solution for wearers of hearing aids… The new MAXUM Hearing Implant!
The MAXUM System is a middle ear implant consisting of a tiny rare-earth magnet implanted on the ossicles, the middle ear bones, and a processor worn in the ear canal or behind the ear. The implant procedure takes about 30 minutes and can be performed in a procedure room or outpatient clinic under a local anesthetic.
How MAXUM Works
Unlike hearing aids, MAXUM does not use a speaker to amplify sound. Instead, an advanced Sound Processor sends electric signals to a transceiver coil. The coil changes these to electromagnetic signals. These signals are transferred across the eardrum to the MAXUM implant which cause the ossicles to vibrate thereby directly stimulating the cochlea (inner ear) and the microscopic hair cells there that send nerve impulses to the brain that are interpreted as speech and sound.
Direct cochlear stimulation provides cleaner, crisper sound quality and more amplification without feedback.
What makes MAXUM superior to traditional hearing aids?
To understand the benefits of the MAXUM implantable hearing system, it’s important to understand how traditional hearing aids work, and why so many patients find them uncomfortable, ineffective, and downright annoying at times!
How Hearing Aids Work
Hearing aids are comprised of a microphone, amplifier, and receiver (speaker). The microphone picks up sound, which is amplified and sent into the ear canal and directed to the tympanic membrane (eardrum) through a receiver (speaker). The amplified sound pressure bends the tiny hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) causing electrical signals to be sent to the brain for interpretation as speech or sounds.
The Problems with Hearing Aids
MAXUM is different because there is no amplified sound pressure.
These problems are directly related to why so many patients are dissatisfied with their hearing aids.
MAXUM changes that. MAXUM does not use amplified sound pressure, but instead provides direct cochlear stimulation. MAXUM technology provides improved sound quality, reduced occlusion and less feedback.
The MAXUM system is not an acoustic hearing aid.
Is Maxum Right for Me?
Are you dissatisfied with your current hearing aids? You may be a candidate for a MAXUM implant.
Do you:
- Have difficulty with feedback or squealing from your current hearing aids?
- Find the sound quality of your hearing aids unnatural or distorted?
- Feel like your ear canal is plugged or own voice sounds like you’re in a barrel?
- Have difficulty hearing people talking in noisy situations such as restaurants, meetings, family gatherings, etc.?
- Frequently ask people to repeat themselves?
- Find yourself smiling and nodding at people because you can’t hear what they are saying?
If you are dissatisfied with your hearing aids, you may be a candidate for a MAXUM implant.
Your physician or audiologist/hearing instrument specialist will perform several audiometric tests and a medical examination to determine whether you are a candidate for the MAXUM System.
General Candidacy Requirements
MAXUM is indicated for use in adults, 18 years of age or older, who have a moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and desire an alternative to an acoustic hearing aid. Prior to receiving the device, it is recommended that an individual have experience with appropriately fit hearing aids.
MAXUM may not be appropriate for people who have conductive or neural hearing loss, active middle ear infections or tympanic membrane (eardrum) perforations associated with recurrent middle ear infections. Also, for people with disabling tinnitus (ringing in the ear), a MAXUM implant may not be appropriate.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact the Ohio Hearing Institute today.