Bone conduction implant that replaces middle ear

    A hearing aid that transmits sound to the inner ear by sending vibrations through the skull could restore some hearing in people suffering from problems in the middle ear.
    Most hearing aids are designed for people with problems of the inner ear, and previous bone conduction-based hearing aids require the implant to be anchored in the skull bone using a titanium screw that protrudes from the skin. In comparison, the new bone conduction implant, which measures just under six centimeters long, is implanted under the skin and attached to the skull bone. The exterior processor--held in place by a pair of magnets--transmits sound via an inductive link through the intact skin to an internal receiver, where the sound is then sent to a tiny speaker that generates the sound vibrations sent into the skull bone.