Category Archives: Customer Stories

Meet Allison: Audiologist and Sentio System Wearer

Allison Lenear, AuD, lost her hearing due to repeated ear drum perforations. After multiple ear infections rendered her hearing aid for one ear ineffective, she decided to try Oticon Medical’s Sentio™ System. Here she shares her experience from the unique perspective as both a hearing care professional and a patient.

Early Experience with Hearing Loss Led to Early Advocacy

My hearing loss is the result of chronic ear drum perforations left after many Pressure Equalization (PE) tube placements. At the age of 15, after four failed tympanoplasties (two on each side), I was fitted with binaural hearing aids by my audiologist. He asked, “Aren’t you tired at the end of the day?” which I thought was just a teenager thing!

My hearing aids helped me hear and understand better in class, be more confident when working my afterschool job, and improved my ability to hear whispers backstage as a stage manager in my high school’s theater department. It was at that time I decided I wanted to be the person to help other people in my position accept their hearing loss and feel confident advocating for themselves. When classmates or strangers asked, “What are those things behind your ears?” I was never offended or embarrassed; it was an excellent way to start educating people around me that hearing aids are not only for older adults.

Accepting the Need to Move Beyond Traditional Hearing Aids

I graduated with my Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Louisville in 2017 and started working as an audiologist at ENT of Athens, where I’d completed my fourth-year externship the previous year. I hadn’t had many ear infections as an adult, meaning there was no issue with traditional amplification. However, within the past two years, I started developing frequent bacterial and fungal infections, especially in the left ear. I wasn’t able to wear my hearing aid in that ear while being treated for the infection, making it difficult to hear and understand my patients. Each time I had an infection, it meant going about two weeks unaided on the affected side. It increased my stress, made the strain to hear and understand more difficult, and made me start avoiding things I love to do because it was so exhausting having to strain to hear. Because of this, I started thinking about a bone anchored solution.

Over the years, I’ve tried pretty much any new hearing aid that came out from all six major manufacturers but always ended up coming back to Oticon. I knew that for any sort of bone anchored device, especially when choosing to surgically implant it, I wanted the incredible sound quality, dependability, and reliability that I had come to rely on. So, when the Sentio™ System received FDA approval in the US, I knew I wanted to make the leap. It took some time to get it approved through the hospital, but on July 3, 2025, I became the first recipient in Athens, GA to receive the Sentio, courtesy of my physician and friend, Dr. Jacline Phillips.

My only concern before surgery was that I would be the first transcutaneous bone anchored hearing system recipient in the facility I had the surgery in! I was confident in my surgeon, who had performed many bone anchored hearing surgeries (percutaneous and other manufacturers’ transcutaneous devices), but the surgical team in the operating room was unfamiliar with them. Luckily, between Dr. Phillips and our Oticon Medical Territory Manager, Dr. Dianna Tingle, everything went off without a hitch.

Undergoing the Sentio Procedure and Processor Fitting

Dr. Phillips mentioned how much easier the Sentio was to implant versus competitors’ products. My incision was much smaller than I anticipated and lined up almost exactly with where my current tympanoplasty scars were located (behind my ear).

Recovery was extremely easy. I had surgery on Thursday and went back to work on Monday. Would I recommend that for everyone? Absolutely not! The only unforeseen issue was that I wear glasses and do not have contacts. So, when I wore my headset to perform hearing evaluations, the arm of my glasses pressed against my beautifully stitched incision and caused some discomfort. I was able to utilize the free accessory included with the Sentio, the EduMic, and connect it to my hearing aid on the right side to be able to hear patients while they were in the test booth, which eliminated pressure from the headset. I continued using that system for about a week after my stitches were removed. Since that time, I have had no pain or discomfort around the surgical site—it is almost like it never happened.

The two weeks leading up to my surgery, I had a fungal infection in the left ear and was unable to wear my hearing aid. I patiently waited two-and-a-half weeks before fitting the Sentio 1 Mini processor [Note: see video snippet below taken during Allison’s fitting session]. Since I was the first to receive a Sentio in our practice, Dr. Phillips, my colleagues, the office manager, and even Dianna came for the fitting. My colleague, who I consider “my” audiologist, was out of the country for vacation and FaceTime’d into the appointment as well!

Feeling Confident with the Sentio 1 Mini

Not having worn any type of amplification for the two weeks leading up to surgery (and more than two weeks after), it was really emotional and an enormous relief to be able to hear from my left side again. Initially, the sound quality was a little different with just my Sentio on, but when I put my right hearing aid in (a pink Oticon REAL™ 1 miniRITE-T with sparkly, swirly ear mold, of course), the sound quality was essentially exactly what I was used to with binaural air conduction amplification. I was able to localize sounds and hear again!

The day after my fitting, I went on a walk with a friend, who is an audiologist, and her linguist husband through our neighborhood. She and I were walking side by side and when I realized that, even though her husband was walking behind us, I could still hear and understand what he was saying… it was unbelievable. I was also able to hear cars and bikes coming from behind, which had been a safety concern of mine in the past when walking alone. Sentio has given me the freedom and the confidence to feel safe walking alone outside. It is absolutely lifechanging.

I love Made for iPhone® (MFi) streaming! I do miss binaural streaming, which isn’t a possibility as far as I am aware, since I am wearing two different devices now (Sentio plus hearing aid). If I need/want binaural streaming, I switch to my headphones, no biggie.

I used to be so worried about infections and making sure my left ear was dry, on top of being annoyed at having something in the left ear. So, most of the time, I would take my hearing aids out when I got home from work. My sweet husband never complained, even if I was complaining that I couldn’t hear due to taking out my own hearing aids, ha-ha! Now, when I am home, the Sentio 1 Mini processor stays on and the hearing aid in my right ear doesn’t bother me, so I am more present and need him to repeat things much less frequently.

My colleagues, after having to deal with me for a solid month of infection and healing, were incredibly relieved when I was fit. An unintended benefit, since I am more aware, is that I am much less jumpy/startled less often by people outside my peripheral vision or behind me. One of my other physicians used to think it was a fun game to sneak up behind me and surprise me—but no more, Dr. Mixson! You have been defeated by the incredible Sentio technology!

I have been pleasantly surprised by how well the processor stays firmly magnetized during walks outside in the southern heat, during Pilates, and in yoga—even when I am in crazy positions! I have only heard feedback once when in a yoga position where my arm was tucked right by my processor, but my friend next to me said she didn’t hear it at all.

I used to have a lot of anxiety and stress due to my frustration over being historically unable to understand speech in certain environments. In the short time we have been together, the Sentio System has been amazing. It makes me feel confident in those situations: being able to hear from which direction traffic noise is coming, my friends walking behind me, and in crowded restaurants—it has brought me a lot of peace. If I start to spiral at particular recommendations for Happy Hour, I must remind myself that I might not have been to that particular restaurant since I activated my Sentio, and so maybe I will do better this time. About 99 percent of the time, I am correct (some places just have terrible acoustics)!

Because the sound quality is quite different from my hearing aid, I used my audiology knowledge and figured out that, similar to cochlear implants, there may be some listening practice involved. Over a few weekends, when at home with my husband, I wore just my Sentio to let my brain adjust to the new sound. Since sound is being transmitted differently than I have experienced in the past, it’s just different! I waited two weeks after my initial fitting before making any adjustments to the settings, which is the same timeframe I request my hearing aid patients wait while trying to adjust to new sound. It has been one month (as of this writing) since my fitting and unsurprisingly, things now sound completely normal. Amazing what can happen when you follow your own advice!

NOTE: Since providing us with this user story, Dr. Lenear has joined Oticon Medical as a Clinical Specialist for New England.

Stephanie Enjoys Hearing Again With Her New Ponto System

Dr. Stephanie Galarneault lost her hearing due to a rare tumor. After struggling with traditional hearing aids, her ENT told her about Oticon Medical’s Ponto™ System. In this post, she describes her experiences so far, which we appreciate her allowing us to share.

The Impact of an Unexplained Hearing Loss

Originally, I thought my poor hearing was the result of a disastrous (and yet very fun) water tubing accident with my sons! Of course, hearing is always important. That said, I am at a stage in life where I communicate constantly. I listen to students in college classrooms. I listen while enjoying a Happy Hour with colleagues and friends.

I listen at parent meetings for my kid’s school. Most importantly, I listen to my children and husband as we navigate our busy family life in a giant old Victorian house.

The Search for Effective Hearing Aids

Eventually, an MRI revealed a vestibular schwannoma—a slow-growing tumor that is crushing my hearing nerve. I tried regular hearing aids for well over a year but could never get comfortable. I tried everything to make the hearing aids work—heat, cold, massaging muscles, physical therapy. No matter what I tried, I always ended up with extreme fatigue and discomfort after wearing them.

Audiologists kept encouraging me to keep trying. Eventually, my ENT neurosurgeon mused out loud, “Hearing aids should really not cause discomfort—unless you have (temporomandibular joint disorder) TMJ.” Bingo! Mystery solved. I do, in fact, have TMJ and wearing traditional hearing aids was always going to be uncomfortable.

Life After Getting a Ponto

The biggest benefits for me are that I can wear my Ponto device all day, every day, and there is no significant discomfort.

I was excited before my surgery—hopeful that the new approach might help with hearing. It is terrible to miss out on communication, especially as a Communications professor! It is also exhausting for our brain, constantly trying to figure out meaning when it is only pulling in a limited amount of data. I get really tired by the end of each day. Ponto helps with that.

The surgery went well. It was quick and easy. Healing and upkeep were fairly easy processes.

Anyone who has significant hearing issues knows the feeling when the switch is flipped and suddenly, we can hear. That moment is incredible, awe-inspiring and emotional. My son videotaped me hearing well for the first time in a very long time. The video does not disappoint (watch at end of post).

I remember that, for me, one of my primary feelings was relief that I did not have to work so hard to understand everything. It was as if a great task that my brain was managing was suddenly gone. It freed up so much more energy for regular life!

Inside the college classroom, it is helpful to swing between listening to a single speaker, to speakers while groups are working/talking, and to several speakers at the same time. The Bluetooth®-enabled wireless streaming might be my favorite part of this new device. I listen to audio news stories and audio books through the Ponto almost every day.

I find the size to be comfortable. Once every few weeks, the spot around my abutment feels tender and sore. A dermatologist prescribed Fluocinonide (.05% solution). It works amazingly well. Within an hour I can no longer feel irritation. It may not occur with everyone, but it certainly did with me. I would also love to highlight how simple topical treatments can bring almost total relief.

I love being able to listen to an audio book while I walk. I also enjoy being able to hear the yoga instructor when I take classes! Traveling with Ponto is also extremely easy. At the airport, I warn TSA agents but have only been flagged for the metal abutment once. That just resulted in a quick swipe with the metal detector bar. I feel so much safer traveling all around the world knowing that I can be more present and aware in my surroundings.

While my hearing is still not perfect, I have found that if I pay attention to where I sit, I can now manage situations better than before.

I think many/most people do not notice my Ponto System. I do talk about my hearing loss in college classrooms, largely because I want to normalize (and personalize) hearing loss and the benefits of using accommodations to be able to actively participate.

Dr. Stephanie Galarneault has a Ph.D in Organizational Communication from Purdue University and is a Lecturer in Communication Studies in the College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

To learn more about Oticon Medical’s Ponto bone anchored hearing system, please visit our website: https://www.oticonmedical.com/us/

My Sentio Story | Arcella Latimore

Arcella Latimore lost the hearing in her left ear due to a rare condition that affected her eardrum. After years of experiencing embarrassing misunderstandings and frustration with her traditional hearing aid, she learned about Oticon Medical’s new Sentio™ System and decided with her hearing care professional that it was the right solution for her. The following is her experience, and we thank her for allowing us to share it!

My hearing journey started with this annoying thumping in my left ear. The doctor diagnosed it as an eustachian tube disorder and told me there was nothing they could do to cure it; I could only manage the discomfort. Seven years later, I went to another doctor and told him that I didn’t want to sound crazy, but it felt like my eardrum was moving. He actually listened to me and began doing several tests. He verified that it really was moving, and believed it was Tensor Tympani Syndrome (TTS). Once confirmed, he told me my options, which were either do nothing or surgery. With surgery, I ran the risk of white noise developing as a side effect. I decided that would be better than the thumping. It did happen, and also the hearing in my left ear was affected. When I plug my right ear to hear with my left, people sound like Minnie Mouse talking underwater.

I was not ready to accept I was losing my hearing, especially being in my early forties. I was still young, dating and having a social life. Yet, all I did was isolate myself because I was embarrassed to go out and not really be able to hear people. When I forced myself to go with friends, I would laugh with the group while not really knowing what I was laughing at. I was constantly acting like I heard people, but it would be awkward if they asked me a question and instead of answering, I just laughed. They would stare at me wondering why I was laughing at a serious question.

I had to finally admit that I was experiencing hearing loss, but I didn’t want a hearing aid. I convinced myself that it wasn’t really that bad. But I was isolating again, and my friends noticed. I finally went back to the doctor to get a hearing test and found out I had a significant hearing loss— around 76 percent. I decided to get traditional hearing aids, but although I wore them for a few years, they only made my hearing loss manageable, not optimal. I realized I was mishearing words or combinations of words that sounded like something else.

Once again, I convinced myself that it wasn’t bad…until I was at work one day and the supervisor asked me something. I thought they said, “Do you want another assignment?” and I very confidently answered their question but quickly realized by their reaction that was not what they’d asked me. They repeated what they’d said, which was, “Do you want another sandwich?” I embarrassedly said, “No thank you,” and walked away thinking it was time to get another hearing aid.

I went to Kaiser to update my hearing test since my last one had been two or three years ago. I told the doctor how I was mishearing words on top of not hearing well overall. The test results showed that my word recognition had gone down to 96 percent. The audiologist suggested the Sentio™ System, which she believed would improve my word recognition and overall hearing. When she mentioned surgery, all I could think was that it would be a big investment in my hearing journey. Going into my skull and implanting a device that would subsequently allow another piece to be magnetically attached to my head…wow!

However, I immediately remembered the embarrassing moment at work and knew that I never wanted to go through that again. I was further convinced because my insurance considered it surgical, so I only had to pay a small amount out of pocket. For the cost of lunch at work, I would be able to make my life so much better and enjoy my friends and family again without any awkward moments that I had to apologize for profusely later.

The doctor came to visit me before my procedure and asked if I had any questions. I said, “No. Just do a good job.” The surgery went very smoothly, and I had a nurse hold my hand the entire time. I felt very comfortable from beginning to end. My recovery went very well. The aftercare instructions were easy to follow. The left side of my head was a little swollen, but that eventually went away. I was given good aftercare instructions.

I went to my scheduled follow-up appointment, and the doctor said I was healing well and quickly, to the point I was able to get my Sentio 1 Mini processor earlier than expected. I chose black to blend well with my natural hair color. Because of the color and size, people don’t even see or notice it.

I was planning to visit my family three weeks after the Sentio surgery but was concerned about flying so soon afterwards. I was told flying would not have an impact. The clinic even provided me with a card stating I had the Sentio implant in case I set off alarms at TSA screening points. I was able to go through the airport without incident and flew with zero discomfort in my left ear.

I really like being able to use my iPhone® for wireless streaming directly into my Sentio and making volume/voice adjustments. At work, I am able to hear better in meetings with the wireless streaming. I do not miss important information, such as action items for me or my staff. I can hear everything, even quiet conversations in other cubicles. It’s amazing because I was never able to hear like this with my old hearing aids.

Sentio has improved my social life because I am no longer isolating. When I laugh it is because I really hear a joke or conversation clearly. I’m not being embarrassed by mishearing words or needing to ask someone to repeat themselves. I enjoy my time with family and friends so much more than before.

Also, Sentio has allowed me to accept that I have a disability and recognize that I have to navigate the world differently than others. This does not make me less of a person; it helps me participate more in the world around me. I appreciate my life more than before because I am more active and engaged with the people I love, and I get to experience the fun of making new friends. No more isolation and retreating from the world. Life is good!

Each person’s reasons for deciding to get the Sentio System are sacred and personal. The decision can’t be taken lightly; you must measure the costs vs. benefits. What is your quality of life? Are you fully engaged in it? If the answer is no, then Sentio will help you participate in life again and you should seriously consider it. Even if you answer yes, Sentio can take your engagement in life to another level.

I’m sharing my Sentio journey in the hope of encouraging those who have experienced similar struggles and feelings. I am an example of what life can look like on the other side. I would tell anyone considering it that it is very much worth it in the end.

Wondering whether a bone anchored hearing system in general or the Sentio System specifically might be the right choice to treat your hearing loss? Use these helpful resources, provided courtesy of Oticon Medical:

BAHS Journey: https://bahsjourney.com/candidate/
The Sentio System: https://sentio.oticonmedical.com/us

My Sentio Story | Lee Rothman

Lee Rothman used to wear a regular hearing aid. However, after he lost most of his hearing in one ear due to Covid-19, it no longer did the job. After looking into alternatives, Lee discovered the new Sentio™ System and learned how this bone conduction treatment could improve his hearing. The following is his story and we thank him for allowing us to share it!

My hearing loss began with an episode that was diagnosed as Meniere’s Disease back in 2013. It caused a loss of the frequencies above 2000hz. Over a period of several years, I had an intermittent loss of my hearing in my right ear that would typically return to some degree (minus the higher frequencies) after less than a week. I lived with that loss until I retired and moved to Idaho.

I had a hearing exam there where they informed me a quality hearing aid could restore that loss of the higher frequencies I was missing. I was an audiophile for nearly 50 years and a musician since the age of 10 with perfect pitch. So, I was fitted with a hearing aid. I was astounded by the higher frequencies I was then able to hear again that I’d missed for so long.

In October of 2023 I had another episode of hearing loss, which was accompanied by severe vertigo that landed me in the hospital. I’d used some antibiotic ear drops that apparently triggered the vertigo. It passed quickly and two days later my hearing returned—of course minus the higher frequencies.

Fast-forward to April of 2024. I had Covid for the fourth time in four years and it was asymptomatic. But once again in June of 2024, I got it again, which was noted by two days of headaches. I then experienced nearly complete hearing loss.

I went to a specialist nearby and he put me on the usual steroid dosage recommended for such events. It did nothing and my hearing loss continued. It was terrible, as I couldn’t hear the TV or my wife well with just the one ear. Having just one operative ear, it became obvious the handicaps it brings. My guitar sounded weak. I could no longer listen to music in my recording studio with headphones or speakers and hear the right channel. I was devastated.

I was referred to Dr. Wilkinson, a specialist in this area of hearing loss. He began with some steroid injections. After the second dose, we felt it wasn’t going to work. He gave me some brochures he’d just received from Oticon Medical regarding a new, FDA-approved type of bone conduction implant that was the next-generation of Ponto™ technologies. I examined it and did a lot of online research into it.

My regular doctor, who I discussed this with as well, happened to own a recently purchased pair of bone conduction stereo headphones. He let me try them and I was shocked that I could hear music in my right ear again. So, my next appointment with Dr. Wilkinson, I said I’d like to move forward with the Sentio offering. He got me on a waiting list, as the nearby hospital was awaiting their approval for the procedure to be done there.

I previously used a traditional hearing aid, mostly to add the lost higher frequencies back into my right ear. The sensorineural hearing loss I had after a Covid attack took a lot more than just the higher frequencies from my hearing. It not only took down the level of what I could hear, but virtually everything above 800hz was gone altogether.

I had no real concerns about the surgery. I’d watched a sample surgery done on YouTube and it looked very simple and straightforward. It went as expected. Quick and painless. Recovery went exactly as stated—three weeks until the application of the external processer and adjustments were made.

I immediately noticed I could hear higher frequencies, far beyond even my good ear. Literally air movement of a heating fan. The audiologist moved away from me speaking all the way to the other end of the room and I heard every word he spoke easily, even with my good ear plugged.

I don’t notice vast differences between the various modes really. I had the audiologist make an adjustment to the Music setting, so when I played my guitar, I didn’t get an annoying warble kind of character when a string was plucked. I was told it was from a noise reduction algorithm that needed to be turned off in the software he set up.

I tested out the Sentio on a high-end music system and noted that I now do hear the full right channel music information that was not there before. At times, I suppose my brain can fool me into thinking it’s hearing a distinct right channel and not just the information being sent to my good left ear alone. I suspect, in time, my brain may get used to it and I won’t feel like my right-side information isn’t actually there on my right side.

Bluetooth® streaming was too low, so the audiologist turned it up with the ConnectClip and then it was very good indeed. I can now hold my cellphone to my right ear area and have a perfect conversation without issues. The clarity is all there. I no longer struggle to hear the TV, as it now picks up the right speaker info, so I can still hear it from a distance. Conversations are a piece of cake.

You may find it funny but when I use the ConnectClip and place it on a table in front of the stereo TV’s external speaker system, I can blend a little bit of the speaker system output with streaming and get flawless clarity mixed with the nice, rich sound of the speakers. I even noted a bit of a 3-D effect, hearing things in a phantom center channel. Pretty interesting and very enjoyable.

The size is simply superb and you can’t ask for more. I don’t even notice it. So far nobody else has either. It weighs virtually nothing and I don’t even know that it’s physically there. I pay no attention to the fact that the Sentio is on me and so far nobody even notices it. When I point it out to folks, they think it is so cool—had no idea it existed.

When I’m in my office at work or having a meeting online, it works flawlessly. I have shaken my head repeatedly and it doesn’t move at all. While I visit a local restaurant, I hear the TV, conversation, and more. It’s great. It is as close to normal hearing as one can imagine. Unlike a typical hearing aid, you literally forget it’s there and it becomes a part of you and how you function. When you remove the Sentio processor, it becomes so much more obvious how vast a change it makes in your hearing quality.

BAHS Journey: https://bahsjourney.com/candidate/
The Sentio System: https://sentio.oticonmedical.com/us

Miss Lexi is Thrilled After Getting Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery

We are grateful to share one of our young hearing advocate’s recent experience after getting minimally invasive Ponto™ surgery (MIPS), so that she could wear her Ponto on an abutment. While eight-year-old Lexi has been wearing her Ponto SuperPower hearing processor on a softband for some time, she’s now getting even more benefit from it after implantation.

According to Lexi’s mother Staci, Lexi is absolutely thrilled with how clearly she hears things now! After dropping off her daughter at school following her appointment when her Ponto was snapped onto her new abutment, she headed to her classroom for a quick show-and-tell of her new setup. She even introduced the class to Massie the Monkey, which was such a special moment.

“It’s incredible,” Staci shared. “I know some people might think it’s not a big change since she has one ‘good’ ear, but the difference is truly life-changing. The sound quality improvement after MIPS has exceeded all our expectations–it’s leaps-and-bounds beyond what we could have hoped for.”

Ponto is not only known for leading technology, but also for groundbreaking implant techniques designed to shorten surgery and healing time. Our procedures are called minimally invasive because they’re designed to avoid the need for stitches and can be performed in minutes under local anesthesia. With minimal impact on your skin, they offer excellent aesthetic outcomes and fast recovery. 98 percent of all users report an increased quality of life after Ponto surgery.¹

And what did Lexi have to say after getting her processor snapped on? “Mommy, I can hear sounds I’ve never heard before!”

Children learn and grow by absorbing everyday input from the world around them—including sounds. If your child has conductive hearing loss, a bone conduction solution that provides access to more sounds can help ensure they don’t miss out. Find out if a Ponto worn on a softband or abutment could be the right solution for your child’s hearing loss. Contact your hearing care professional today, or to find an HCP in your area, please contact Oticon Medical at 888.277.8014 (M-F 8am-7pm ET) or by email anytime at [email protected].

Lagerkvist H, et al. (2020). Ten years of experience with the Ponto bone anchored hearing system – A systematic literature review. Clin Otolaryngol. 45(5):667-680.

Meet Today’s Oticon Medical | Stephanie Gardner

This new series of posts introduces you to our current roster of Oticon Medical employees in the United States. As you know, we’ve been through a lot of changes over the past few years. We are pleased that so many wonderful new people have joined the dedicated employees who have remained with us despite it all!

Stephanie Gardner, Senior Insurance Manager

Please join us in welcoming our new Senior Manager of Insurance Services and Reimbursement Support, Stephanie Gardner!

Background

Prior to joining Oticon Medical, Stephanie worked for an oncology company as their Revenue Cycle Manager. She has more than ten years of experience in the account receivables field and five years of experience in the revenue cycle process, including precertification, eligibility and benefits, oral pharmacy for oncology medicine, patient financial advocacy, and patient accounts receivable.

Current Oticon Medical Role

Stephanie is responsible for managing, leading, and developing our Insurance Support Team, which assists wearers of our Ponto™ and Sentio™ bone anchored hearing systems (BAHS) and hearing care professionals with insurance and reimbursement inquiries.

Once BAHS candidates have decided on a bone anchored solution, they must determine and verify that their benefits will cover it. While this may seem daunting, the Oticon Medical Insurance Support Team is here to make the process easier for them, hospitals and clinics. They will assist with everything, including:

Verification of benefits for new Ponto or Sentio wearers
Verification for current BAHS wearers seeking coverage for upgrading their processors to our latest technology
Submitting paperwork to insurance providers
Requesting and receiving pre-authorization for minimally-invasive Ponto surgery (MIPS) or Sentio surgery

The team does this this in a confidential and private manner to protect candidates and wearers’ healthcare information through each step of the process.

Fun Fact

One of Stephanie’s hobbies is putting together 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles.

Please join us in welcoming Stephanie to the Oticon Medical Team!

If you need to speak to someone in our Insurance Support Services Department, you can reach them anytime at [email protected] or by phone Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm Eastern Time at 855.400.9761.

New Video Series: Part of the Family

We are excited to bring you a new series of blog posts in 2024. We call them “Part of the Family” because we are featuring families of young Ponto wearers and their experiences not only with Oticon Medical’s bone anchored hearing systems, but also as members of our Oticon Medical extended family of advocates.

Introducing the Bayan Family

The Bayan family includes mom Christine, dad DJ, sister Ava, and Ponto™ 5 SuperPower wearer Sean. Sean underwent a combination of ear reconstruction and our minimally invasive Ponto surgery (MIPS) about a year ago, with the goal of providing him with the best possible access to sound.* The Bayans take every opportunity to offer support to other families who might be considering a BAHS for their child by discussing Sean’s path to better hearing in testimonials and in their community. They have also enjoyed participating in Oticon Medical events where they get to spend time with other families sharing their stories and experiences in a supportive environment.

Open Up Your Child’s World

When your child has a hearing loss, early access to clear, high-quality sound can give them more opportunities to learn and grow—and to engage with all life has to offer. Learn more about our Ponto 5 family of hearing processors and all the ways in which they might benefit your child.

* Ponto surgery is contraindicated for patients under 5 years of age. Not all hearing loss patients are candidates for a bone anchored solution. Patient candidacy and aspects relating to implant
installation are based on individual patient assessment. Outcomes and healing times vary patient to patient. Please consult your hearing care professional. Testimonials represent the opinion of the 
concerned individuals only and may not be the experience of others.

College Student. Videographer. New Ponto 5 SuperPower User.

Lindsey was born with single-sided deafness due to microtia and atresia. Little did she know that answering an ad to record testimonials for Oticon Medical would lead to discovering an effective treatment for her own unilateral hearing loss: the Ponto™ 5 SuperPower bone anchored hearing processor! In this testimonial video — which Lindsey directed herself! — she shares how the unexpected discovery of the Ponto device is supporting her education and career aspirations.

I never knew any different when it came to what I could hear versus what my peers and family could hear. My biggest problem has always been with the direction of sound. I usually have to watch people talk to fully understand what they are saying. When I talk with people, I make sure they are on my left side so I can hear them. Otherwise, the sound gets mixed in with other noise.

When I was 15, I tried my first implant. Although it increased the volume of sounds, I couldn’t tell which direction sound was coming from in very standard locations and situations. It actually made it more overwhelming trying to understand what everyone was saying because it made everything louder without any distinction. I would get headaches after wearing it for a few hours because it was magnetic.

I am currently in college for film production, and I plan to focus on screenwriting and directing. That being said, I do love videography and cinematography, and getting to begin videography work in a corporate setting has been an amazing opportunity.

I was asked if I wanted to apply for a videography position for Oticon Medical to make testimonials for the Ponto 5 SuperPower. I didn’t tell them I had microtia and atresia until I traveled for the first testimonial. Now I know so many people who also have microtia and atresia or children with microtia and atresia, and I had an amazing summer creating testimonials, improving my craft, and making wonderful connections.

One of the Oticon Medical audiologists offered to let me try the Ponto 5 SuperPower. I could hear distinct sounds coming from both sides, and the volume of things made sense regarding their position from me. It was surreal, yet so natural. It took me a few days to get used to it, but I was delighted with how natural yet powerful everything sounded.

Student. Intern. Artist. Sarah is Grateful for Her Ponto 5 SuperPowers

Oticon Medical advocate and recent summer intern Sarah Sabal shares her experience before and after upgrading to Ponto™ 5 SuperPower bone conduction hearing devices.

Born with Microtia and Atresia, I grew up in a seemingly busy world that, to me, was quiet. It was like watching a silent movie of people living their everyday life. As a young child, I eventually developed my thoughts and emotions through my artwork—a form of visual communication.

Later, when I got adopted in 2007, I was aided at the age of 8 with my first hard-wired bone anchored hearing devices on a headband. At first, I was shocked to hear for the first time, but later on, I had discomfort from wearing my hard-wired headband for a prolonged time, with addition to constant feedback. In 2013, I started wearing Ponto devices, and I now wear the Ponto 5 SuperPower.

I received multiple scholarships before going to college. I was awarded two government scholarships in Critical Language Scholarship funded by the State Department, and Boren Awards by the National Security. In addition, I have received multiple awards in art contests and been on RIT’s Dean’s List for having a GPA higher than 3.40.

Going to college, I was so grateful that I could do well in classes and make new friends. Wearing my Ponto 5 SuperPower processors allow me to hear the surrounding environment through OpenSound Navigator™ (full 360-degree soundscape). Most of the time, I use my ConnectClip™ to stream music, videos, and Zoom calls through my laptop, and EduMic™ to hear my professors in classroom settings.

I recently worked with Oticon Medical as a summer Digital Marketing intern. The resources provided by my college (RIT) and Oticon Medical gave me the opportunity to achieve success. My motivation and career plan are to pursue Marketing with the ability to speak Chinese for future opportunities. I am currently studying abroad in Taiwan under my Boren Awards scholarship.

I hope my motivation and determination to succeed despite my deafness will encourage others that anything is possible when you have a positive mindset!

Mother. Student. Advocate. Camilla Juggles It All with Ponto 5 SuperPower

Camilla Gilbert has faced many obstacles in life, including bilateral microtia/atresia with hearing loss and other challenges. Yet nothing has deterred her from helping others and advancing her education. Now she is doing it all with support from her Ponto™ 5 SuperPower bone anchored hearing devices.

I had heard about many people with Ponto 5 SuperPower devices and wanted to try them. I heard that it was terrific regarding the sound quality, power, and feedback reduction.

Before I went back to school for my Masters in Social Work (MSW), I went to school to learn about Deaf culture and history, and ASL. What motivated me to return to school was to become a role model for myself, my daughter, and the communities I knew I would serve one day. I want to help and support people who feel like there is no hope in the Deaf/hard of hearing communities and the disabled community. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership.

My experience wearing a Ponto to school as an adult compared to going to a school as a kid without treatment is different. I’m able to understand more clearly. I can not only hear the professors, but participate in dialogue with my classmates.

Wearing the Ponto 5 SuperPower is also helping me achieve my goals as an employee, since I’m very new to my position. I can hear my colleagues whispering in their office with the door closed. Maybe we have thin walls, but before this new Ponto 5 SuperPower, I could not hear the whispering!

With Ponto 5 SP, I can communicate in a social situations, such as at a restaurant, in meetings, and at various appointments. Before, I struggled with understanding what people were saying in social situations. Now I can engage more without listening fatigue.

My hearing journey hasn’t been easy. However, this journey is who I am and will always be. Life is what you make out of it, so we must embrace our differences, weirdness, disabilities, and technology. Without technologies from Oticon Medical, which believes that Sound Matters, I wouldn’t understand hearing health’s quality and importance. If you are at a crossroads in your hearing journey, I suggest you do your research about Ponto 5 SuperPower.

Bone Anchored Hearing Systems (BAHS) Blog

Resources, Advice and Stories from Bone Anchored Hearing System Users