Sophono

Similar to other bone conduction systems such as the BAHA, the Sophono device has an implantable component, and an exterior, detachable component called the sound processor. The implanted component is a titanium encased magnet that is secured to the skull through a small incision behind the ear, which can be performed under local anesthesia with “twilight” sedation.

Some of the advantages of the Sophono compared to the BAHA:

• No external abutment
• No routine cleaning of the abutment
• No extended wait for activation

Some issues related to the Sophono not found in the BAHA:

• Distortion of MRI images obtained of the brain near the implanted magnet
• Possible pressure sensitivity of the skin between the internal and external magnets

The system is FDA-approved for ages 5 years and older for similar indications as the BAHA, which are conductive or mixed hearing losses with bone conduction thresholds in the affected ear better than 45 dB; or for single-sided deafness when the better ear has pure tune average thresholds better than 20 dB.