NEW BONE CONDUCTING PRODUCT

[Patti UT]

Hi All,
  A Friend who works with hearing impaired children in So Cal just sent me this link
http://sophono.com/products     or www.sophono.com

This company is making a surgically implanted bone conductor like BAHA except it does not require the abutment.  The processor is held on with magnets.
  This sounds pretty promising.  no infected skin around the abutment, or brushing maintenance, etc. They make a small incision, implant it  with a magnet.  After it heals, your ready to go.
   I tried TransEar which didn't work for me, but have my f/u MRI in 2 weeks. I'm going to ask about this.

Patti UT

[CHD63]

Patti .....

I'm not sure, but I think someone posted about this not too long ago ..... and although it sounds extremely hopeful for some people, I don't think those of us needing future MRIs would be able to use it.  I doubt the magnets under the skin would be compatible with the magnets in the MRI machine.  But ...... maybe someone has already thought of this and figured it out.  Let us know if anyone has.

Clarice

[Patti UT]

Good Point Calrice.  I'll ask about it when I go for my MRI

[Kencutus]

Good Point Calrice.  I'll ask about it when I go for my MRI

I agree with Calrice, you cannot have MRI done with a magnet in your head.  I saw the safety video for MRI and healthcare worker. You be surprise what a magnet can do and how strong it is.   I work in the healthcare and I cannot go into the MRI room because I have a magnet in my head for 25 years.  I had a similar hearing device to Sophono called Xomed Audiant.  Once the magnet is in your head, it cannot be taken out for MRI scan. 

[opp2]

I would think the magnet would not be the implant, but on the processor. The implant would be the point of contact for the magnet.

I think.

[opp2]

I sent them an email. Let's see what they say. Our own Adrienne will be able to knock on the door of the factory soon.

[opp2]

Hello,

Thank-you for your interest in the Sophono Alpha 1 Abutment Free Bone Conduction hearing device.

Unfortunately, the Alpha 1 is contraindicated for MRI’s at this time. I would recommend discussing the product with your doctor  if in the future your need for routine MRI’s was not necessary.

Thank-you again for your interest.

 

Alex Goncarovs

[Kencutus]

See?  What did I tell you? It's not the implant but it's the magnet screwed in the head is the problem.  Like I said, I cannot go into the MRI room until you wanna pry me off the big stainless steel donut.

[opp2]

Do you think you'd stick with a thunk or a clink??? 

[leapyrtwins]

Sounds similar to a CI (Cochlear Implant).

CI's use internal magnets.

Jan

[Patti UT]

I too got the same input from Sophono.  Too bad.  Would have been nice to get a BAHA without the abutment.

pattitut

[leapyrtwins]

Being a BAHA wearer, I can honestly say that having the abutment isn't a big deal.

It becomes second nature; you don't think about it being there on a day to day basis.

Truthfully I haven't given my abutment much thought at all since I first had my implant and the site was healing.

I had a very small infection a month or so ago, which focused my attention there for a few days, but other than that having a titanium rod sunk into my skull isn't something I even think about; it's just a part of me.  And I'd venture to say that most BAHA wearers feel the same way.

BAHAs aren't for everyone, but almost everyone who has one loves it.

Jan

[leapyrtwins]

More info:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9126542.htm
 
Sent this link to my neurotologist who confirmed that this is the Sophono.  He also said "Do not worry, the sound performance of this device will not match your, direct bone conduction implant..."

Jan