The Cochlear MET middle ear implant is an opportunity for those who suffer from sensorineural hearing loss and, for various reasons, have not been able to benefit from the help of hearing improvement methods available so far. The first implantation operation of such an implant in Poland was performed at IFPS in Kajetany by prof. Henryk Skarżyński.
Middle ear implant Cochlear MET , implanted today for the first time in Poland by prof. Henryk Skarżyński in Kajetany, it is a chance for many patients to improve their hearing, and thus improve the quality of life. - MET is an implantable device that improves hearing, combining the latest technological solutions in hearing aids with the advantages of middle ear implants - says Prof. Skarżyński. - The MET implant enables a strong amplification of the acoustic signal and at the same time ensures high sound quality.
Who is the Cochlear MET middle ear implant for?
The Cochlear MET middle ear implant is a system designed for people with moderate to severe sensorineural and mixed hearing loss. This implant is for:
- patients who do not benefit from hearing aids (those who are allergic to the materials they are made of, suffer from ear infections, etc.);
- patients who are not eligible for other hearing implants;
- patients who need high, natural sound amplification - seniors over 65.
How does the MET implant work?
- The device works by transmitting sound vibrations directly to the ossicles. Therefore, the external ear, where for various reasons other, traditional solutions cannot be used, is bypassed - explains Prof. Skarżyński. The MET system consists of an outer and an inner part. The external part is a Button sound processor, which is worn under the hair on the surface of the head behind the ear and is attached with a magnet to a coil implanted under the skin. The processor is light and has a diameter of only 3.5 cm, it is powered by a battery or accumulator. The housing can be in one of four colors (black, gray, brown and beige). The internal (implanted) part consists of two elements: the implant proper part, placed just under the scalp behind the ear, and the actuator placedin the mammary part of the temporal bone and attached to the ossicles in the middle ear (most often to the anvil, it can also be attached to the stapes, oval or round window).
How does the MET implant surgery work?
Middle ear implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually lasts from 1 to 2 hours. During the operation, the surgeon makes a small incision in the skin behind the ear and then drills a hole in the mammary bone. Then he places the implant under the skin, and the actuator inserts it into a special mounting system and connects its tip to the appropriate cube or cochlear window. After the operation, the patient has a bandage on. After 6-10 days after the operation, the sutures can be removed. The use of the implant begins only after the wound has healed completely, i.e. usually 6-8 weeks after surgery. During the initial start-up of the implant, a qualified hearing care professional or clinical engineer connects the implant system to a computer and performs a hearing test, programming the sound processor according to the results. Sometimes, in the first period after starting the processor, additional check-ups may be needed to adjust the processor settings to the changing needs of the patient.
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