PROGRAMMING GUIDE - Med-El

How does the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE work?
TheVibrant Soundbridge ® (VSB) is an implantable middle ear hearing system. It opens
up new ways to make sound audible. It is a direct drive hearing system which provides
mechanical energy directly to a suitable vibratory structure of the ear, bypassing the ear
canal and the tympanic membrane.The amplified vibrations can be adjusted to optimally
compensate different kind of hearing losses.
The Amadé TM audio processor, which is externally worn, picks up sound via its two
microphones using digital signal processing and transmits the signal across the skin to
the implant.The implant sends the signal to the Floating MassTransducer (FMT), which
vibrates in response.The vibration is directly transferred to the inner ear via the FMT,
which is attached to a suitable vibratory structure of the middle ear. For patients with
sensorineural hearing loss, the direct-drive principle action of the FMT enables it to
replicate and amplify the natural movement of the ossicular chain, such that high frequency
gain is improved and distortion is virtually eliminated. In the case of conductive
or mixed hearing losses, the defective part of the external auditory canal or the
middle ear is bypassed, and the FMT directly transfers the vibration to the inner ear.
The Amadé audio processor has to be selected according to the implanted side.Therefore a right and a left version of
the Amadé is offered (markings are shown on the underside of the Amadé audio processor with ”R” for the right side
and “L” for the left side).The Amadé audio processor user manual explains how to wear the device to ensure the best directional
functionality.
When should fitting take place?
The first fitting of the Amadé should take place eight weeks after surgery.The post-surgery healing process may not always
be complete at the time of first fitting so that the initial results observed may not prove to be optimal. For this reason,
additional adjustments are usually necessary after the first fitting to accommodate further healing and experience
with the new sound delivered by the VSB.
Why is programming the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE
different from a hearing aid?
The frequency response of theVibrant Soundbridge differs from that of a hearing aid. It
provides more high frequency gain, because it is not restricted by a loudspeaker with limited
bandwidth as in the case of hearing aids. As the signal delivered is relatively distortionfree,
high frequency gain is tolerated well by the user. Conversely, low frequency gain is
reduced relative to that provided by a hearing aid due to the resonance characteristics
of the FMT.The provision of less low frequency gain can be advantageous when background
noise occurs. However, in some cases the sound may be perceived to be quieter
than that provided by a hearing aid.
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VIBRANT